Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

4.9
Based on 505 ratings
Read 505 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Portugal on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Portugal Trip
Portugal | Jun 27 - Jul 4, 2024

Y
YORDANIA P.
Woodhaven, NY | Reviewed on Jul 06, 2024

Marina did an amazing job planning and booking all the hotels and tours. She constantly communicated with us to ensure that we were enjoying our trip. I will definitely recommend planning trips with kimkim.

Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 18, 2024

Hi Yordania! Thank you for writing your trip review and for your kind words! It has been a true pleasure helping you plan your trip to Portugal. I look forward to helping you plan another adventure in the future! 🤩Warm regards for Espiritu Travel team

Marina planned a great 10 day trip to Portuga...
Portugal | Jun 23 - Jul 3, 2024

A
Allison J.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2024
Marina planned a great 10 day trip to Portugal. The hotels where we stayed and the activities she booked were great. The trip exceeded our expectations. Communication with Marina and our local contacts was easy. I felt like she understood what we were most interested in seeing and took into consideration the pace we wanted to travel. I would recommend using KimKim for your future travel! Read more

Marina planned a great 10 day trip to Portugal. The hotels where we stayed and the activities she booked were great. The trip exceeded our expectations. Communication with Marina and our local contacts was easy. I felt like she understood what we were most interested in seeing and took into consideration the pace we wanted to travel. I would recommend using KimKim for your future travel!

Hotel Reviews
NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade
Lisbon

Right in the heart of the city. Great pool area. Rooms are a good size. Great breakfast buffet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Vine House—Quinta São Luiz
Tabuaço

Beautiful!! The views couldn’t have been better.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Prettiest view from the deck of our hotel room
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Great place to spend the night before an early flight. Can walk to the airport but the hotel also provides a shuttle
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Just needs some updating. Pool area was very nice
Activity Reviews
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Workshop: Painting Traditional Ceramic Tile
Workshop: Painting Traditional Ceramic Tile
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine Cellar Guided Visit with Lunch
Wine Cellar Guided Visit with Lunch
Douro Valley
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
River Boat Experience in Douro Valley
River Boat Experience in Douro Valley
Douro Valley
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Self Drive {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Aveiro
Self Drive {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Aveiro
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Transport
Private Porto Cooking Class
Private Porto Cooking Class
Porto

This activity was canceled but our local kimkim Representative let us know right before we started walking to the cooking class. The chef took us to dinner instead to a Michelin chef’s newly opened cafe. We spent the evening with him and spoke with the chef as well. The meal was delicious and the company was just as good!

Get to know Porto by E-bike
Get to know Porto by E-bike
Porto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Porto

Great hikes. Beautiful waterfalls. Loved our guide Nuno. Great local lunch at a nice restaurant at the park.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 05, 2024

Hi Allison! Thank you SO much for writing your trip review and for your kind words! It has been a true pleasure helping you plan your family trip to Portugal and I am so glad you had such a fantastic trip🤩I will pass your words on to our local guides, who will love to hear that they have contributed to a memorable trip. I look forward to helping you plan another adventure in the future! Warm regards from the Espiritu Travel team

First time using Kim Kim and it was so easy. ...
Portugal | Jun 20 - Jun 28, 2024

Tiffanie
Tiffanie T.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2024
First time using Kim Kim and it was so easy. Helen and her team had quick replies and solutions to any questions that I may have had. we even last minute added another tour onto our itinerary and she messaged us back very quickly and made it happen. I will definitely be coming back and using Kim Kim for future explorations. Thank you Kim Kim for an amazing and memorable trip. Read more

First time using Kim Kim and it was so easy. Helen and her team had quick replies and solutions to any questions that I may have had. we even last minute added another tour onto our itinerary and she messaged us back very quickly and made it happen. I will definitely be coming back and using Kim Kim for future explorations. Thank you Kim Kim for an amazing and memorable trip.

Hotel Reviews
Lagos Avenida Hotel
Lagos

This hotel was clean, professional, and very modern. It was in a great location close to everything. The restaurant is amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Évora Olive Hotel
Evora

The rooms were massive compared to other rooms that we stayed in Portugal. Very walkable and close to the city center. Staff was very nice and it was clean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Privately Guided Visit of Évora
Privately Guided Visit of Évora
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves
Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lisbon Petiscos & Wine Tour
Lisbon Petiscos & Wine Tour
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Jul 05, 2024

Hi Tiffanie,
Thank you for your wonderful review. I am glad I was able to help you, both before and during your trip, it is my goal, to make the memories of your trip stay in your memory for a long time.

I look forward to helping you plan more amazing and exciting adventures in the future.
Warmest regards,
Helena

Birthday Trip to Portugal with Girlfriends
Portugal | Jun 19 - Jun 28, 2024

Lisa
Lisa C.
Chester, PA | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2024
We had a wonderful, stress free trip to Portugal thanks to the KimKim team and Marisa and her team from Across Portugal! It was a birthday trip for 3 of us who have been friends for 35 years. All the details had been worked out, all we needed to do was to get our flight to Lisbon.
Marisa was in communication with us long before our trip with details and a potential itinerary. We had mentioned we would like 4 star hotels, a cooking class at a farm with beautiful ocean views, a walking...
Read more

We had a wonderful, stress free trip to Portugal thanks to the KimKim team and Marisa and her team from Across Portugal! It was a birthday trip for 3 of us who have been friends for 35 years. All the details had been worked out, all we needed to do was to get our flight to Lisbon.
Marisa was in communication with us long before our trip with details and a potential itinerary. We had mentioned we would like 4 star hotels, a cooking class at a farm with beautiful ocean views, a walking tour with tastings of Lisbon, with guide Anna who was so knowledgeable about the history of Lisbon/ Portugal, plus she was fun to be with! (We had our own private tour).
She arranged all of that! Our hotels were beautiful! Especially the Vilagale, Lagos and the Miragem in Cascais was simply breathtaking. All our hotels were within walking distance of local restaurants and shopping. She even arranged a boat ride for us in the grottos with breathtaking views of the rock formations. All of our transfers were arranged, including a pick up from the airport. All our drivers were excellent, especially Carlos, whom we had twice.
We were able to communicate through What’s App anytime and always got a quick response.
We would definitely use KimKim again and give everyone 5 stars! Thank you for providing us with a memorable Portuguese vacation!
We chose KimKim because we wanted to do our own thing without going with a tour group. It worked out perfect for us!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Activity Reviews
Lisbon Walking Tour + Delicious Portuguese Flavours
Lisbon Walking Tour + Delicious Portuguese Flavours
Lisbon

Anna was the perfect tour guide! She was very knowledgeable about the history and we walked all over Lisbon. We ended with some wine tasting and local tastes of the area. Thank you Anna! It was fun meeting you!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
All excellent- especially Carlos!
Transport
The black metris vans were especially comfortable to travel in!
Discovering Belém's Charm on a Tuk-Tuk Ride
Discovering Belém's Charm on a Tuk-Tuk Ride
Lisbon

This was a very fun way to travel to Belém and see all the beautiful sights! A bit bumpy at times with the streets but still fun! Loved the warm custard!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Portugal

Sintra is a town not to be missed! Our driver was very good and made sure we saw everything!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Panoramic Boat to the Ponta da Piedade Grottoes
Panoramic Boat to the Ponta da Piedade Grottoes
Portugal

Blue Fleet took us on our boat ride to see the grottos. It lasted about an hour and the views were amazing! The water color and rock formations were unbelievably stunning! Marta was our captain and did a wonderful job!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Lisbon

We had a wonderful experience with the Fado music/dinner. 2 different singers, but the same 2 guitar players. They were excellent! The meal was good, but I have had better beef. I think the fish is the food to order on the menu there. The wine and entertainment made up for it!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Embark on a Flavorful Cooking Class with a Meal at the Farm
Embark on a Flavorful Cooking Class with a Meal at the Farm
Portugal

Loved this class! It was a bit of a drive from Lagos, but again with our excellent driver, it was not a problem. The host was very nice and took us on a tour of her farm/gardens. Then we went to the separate kitchen and had a cooking lesson where we could prepare our meal. After that, we went to a covered patio and had a fantastic meal that we prepared! The view was amazing! Great to meet other people from Ireland and other parts of the. US.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marisa Agulhas
Marisa
Marisa Agulhas
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 03, 2024

Hello Lisa,

Thank you so much once again for your amazing feedback :)
I am truly happy to know that you had a special time in Portugal - your pictures are wonderful!!
It was great to have you, Jeannette & Sylvia traveling with us!

Obrigado,
Your Friend in Portugal - Marisa

The Kim Kim team put together a fantastic tri...
Portugal | Jun 20 - Jun 28, 2024

M
Melinda L.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2024
The Kim Kim team put together a fantastic trip to Portugal for my husband and me. They selected excellent hotels that met our budget and were in great locations. We loved the tours that Kim Kim book. We absolutely loved Paulo in Sintra who spent the day with us and took us to the Pena Castle and other local areas of interest. Kim Kim booked all of our train and car travel and hotel transfers. We had a blast! Read more

The Kim Kim team put together a fantastic trip to Portugal for my husband and me. They selected excellent hotels that met our budget and were in great locations. We loved the tours that Kim Kim book. We absolutely loved Paulo in Sintra who spent the day with us and took us to the Pena Castle and other local areas of interest. Kim Kim booked all of our train and car travel and hotel transfers. We had a blast!

Hotel Reviews
NH Sintra Centro Hotel
Sintra

Our favorite accommodation was at NH Sintra Centro Hotel. Recently renovated, it offered beautiful views and was very updated and clean. Getting there was a bit tricky due to narrow roads, but once we arrived, it was perfect. The breakfast was excellent, and the overall experience was wonderful.

Miramar Hotel & Spa
Nazaré

The Miramar Hotel & Spa in Nazaré was nice but not our favorite. The hotel was under construction, so the spa and indoor pool were closed. The room was clean, and the staff was polite, but it lacked some conveniences like an ironing board. The location was good, allowing us to walk to most places. Overall, it was a decent stay but could have been better.

Pousada Porto—Rua das Flores
Porto

Our stay at Pousada Porto—Rua das Flores was excellent. The hotel was in a prime location, especially during the St. John's Festival. The breakfast was fantastic, and the dinner we had there was delicious. The room was a bit small but very clean, and we spent most of our time outside, so it didn't matter much. The staff was polite, and we enjoyed the overall experience despite the room size.

Activity Reviews
 Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Portugal

We started our trip with a food and cultural walk in Lisbon, which was fantastic. Our guide took us to some traditional Portuguese places, including an olive oil shop that we probably wouldn't have found on our own. We were paired with two ladies from Tampa, Florida, and despite our initial doubts about getting along, we ended up having a blast and even stayed in touch. The guide was lovely and made the experience really special.

Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal

The tuk-tuk tour in Lisbon was another highlight. Our driver was punctual, knowledgeable, and spent plenty of time with us, giving us a rich history of the city. Lisbon's steep hills can be a lot to handle on foot, so this was a perfect way to see the city without too much walking. It was a great way to get around and learn about Lisbon.

Get to know Porto by E-bike
Get to know Porto by E-bike
Porto

This e-bike tour in Porto was incredible, though challenging due to the hot weather and the crowd from the St. John's Festival. Our guide was wonderful, spent extra time with us, and made sure we were safe and comfortable. He took us to less crowded trails and provided a lot of historical context, which we appreciated. He also brought water and snacks for us and even took great photos. This was a very active excursion, but we loved every minute of it.

Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 05, 2024

Hi Melinda! Thank you SO much for writing your trip review and for your kind words! It has been a true pleasure helping you plan your trip to Portugal and I am so glad you had such a fantastic trip :) I will share your kind words with all the team! I look forward to helping you plan another adventure in the future! 🤩Warm regards for Espiritu Travel team

Amazing trip to Portugal
Portugal | Jun 14 - Jun 21, 2024

Kim
Kim A.
Providence, RI | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2024
Our family trip to Portugal was amazing. It was our first time traveling to Europe and we had an amazing amazing amazing time. From the very beginning the help and guidance Pedro provided was 5 star. I was really impressed each step of the way while on the trip, as Pedro reached out daily and made sure to respond immediately when I had any questions. Our drivers and every tour we did was incredible. Zero complaints. It was a once and a life time trip, I would not have been able to plan... Read more

Our family trip to Portugal was amazing. It was our first time traveling to Europe and we had an amazing amazing amazing time. From the very beginning the help and guidance Pedro provided was 5 star. I was really impressed each step of the way while on the trip, as Pedro reached out daily and made sure to respond immediately when I had any questions. Our drivers and every tour we did was incredible. Zero complaints. It was a once and a life time trip, I would not have been able to plan without Kimkim and Pedro.

Hotel Reviews
PortoBay Marquês
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cascade Wellness
Lagos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cascais Miragem
Cascais - Portugal

Our favorite of the three hotels ;)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore the Enchanting Ponta da Piedade Grottoes on a Thrilling  Kayaking Expedition
Explore the Enchanting Ponta da Piedade Grottoes on a Thrilling Kayaking Expedition
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Small Group Boat Trip to the Timeless View of the Benagil Caves
Small Group Boat Trip to the Timeless View of the Benagil Caves
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 01, 2024

Dear Kim,
Thank you so much for your kind words :)
I am delighted to hear that your family trip to Portugal was amazing and that you had such a fantastic time. It was a pleasure to assist you throughout your journey and ensure everything went smoothly. I'm glad that the daily check-ins and prompt responses helped make your trip enjoyable and stress-free.It's wonderful to hear that everything exceeded your expectations and contributed to a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Thank you for choosing Kimkim and allowing me to be a part of your adventure.
Your friend in Portugal - Pedro

Family trip to Portugal
Portugal | May 30 - Jun 12, 2024

T
Thomas G.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2024
We had a really good experience with KimKim and Across Portugal. Joao and Pedro were excellent - and were attentive/thoughtful before, during and after the trip. Joao helped us plan a trip that met our preferences - in a country we weren’t familiar with. All the local guides/drivers were professional and great (especially with our kid(s)). We would recommend Joao and Pedro to friends and family. One quick note: we loved Cascáis (lovely, relaxing way to end up our trip and still be close to... Read more

We had a really good experience with KimKim and Across Portugal. Joao and Pedro were excellent - and were attentive/thoughtful before, during and after the trip. Joao helped us plan a trip that met our preferences - in a country we weren’t familiar with. All the local guides/drivers were professional and great (especially with our kid(s)). We would recommend Joao and Pedro to friends and family. One quick note: we loved Cascáis (lovely, relaxing way to end up our trip and still be close to the airport for our departure), and in retrospect would have spent a couple more days there and a couple fewer days in Porto.

Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 25, 2024

Hello Thomas,
It is wonderful to hear from you. Thank you so much for your kind words.
It was great to have you, and your family, traveling in Portugal with our assistance.
Muito Obrigado!!
Your Friends in Portugal - João & Pedro

KimKim/Across Portugal provide great travel planning services
Portugal | Jun 14 - Jun 22, 2024

J
Jennifer M.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jun 23, 2024
I was a little skeptical about using kimkim at first-- but it proved to be a thoroughly convenient and helpful service in planning our trip(s) to Portugal and Morocco. The travel planning services provided by Pedro at Across Portugal were excellent! He and his team were always responsive to our questions and the 9 day custom trip they planned for us through Lisbon (including trips to Sintra and Belem), Algarve and Cascais was exactly what we hoped for. We particularly appreciated the... Read more

I was a little skeptical about using kimkim at first-- but it proved to be a thoroughly convenient and helpful service in planning our trip(s) to Portugal and Morocco. The travel planning services provided by Pedro at Across Portugal were excellent! He and his team were always responsive to our questions and the 9 day custom trip they planned for us through Lisbon (including trips to Sintra and Belem), Algarve and Cascais was exactly what we hoped for. We particularly appreciated the thoughtful welcome gift upon arrival at our Lisbon hotel and Pedro's responsiveness when our hotel in the Algarve, Cascade Wellness Resort, did not meet our (admittedly) high standards. Our driver, Andre, was one of the highlights of our trip. He was great with our kids and we really enjoyed our conversations with him.

Hotel Reviews
Cascade Wellness
Lagos

We have admittedly high standards when it comes to our resort hotels. Unfortunately, despite what appeared to be their best efforts Cascade Wellness just didn't meet the mark. Our first apartment (#511) was very disappointing-- a not insignificant walk to the main dining areas/pools with a view of the roundabout, combined with worn/dirty furnishings, dirty linens and black mildew rampant in the shower areas. We were disappointed enough that for only the 2nd time in my life, we requested a room change. The second apartment (#1111) was an improvement in terms of cleanliness/pool access. Overall, however, this resort needs refurbishment. The carpets/couches/draperies in both apartments need to be deep cleaned to remove stains and the furniture is noticeably dented and scratched. In the three days we spent poolside, the pool bar by the 'sand' pool never opened (we were there in mid-June and the pool was in use by many people). Landscaping does not appear to be watered regularly and walkways between buildings were in need of repair. We only ate at the hotel once after being unimpressed with our lunch, preferring either to go out and order in via UberEats. The front desk, however, did try to be helpful, providing good restaurant recommendations and, after moving us, checking to see if the new apartment was an improvement. Bottom line, this is not a 5 star, or even a 4 star, resort.

Location
Resort was convenient to Lagos and other towns, but given the environment (set on a cliff above the ocean) no easy beach access or easy ocean views.
Staff
Staff was fine-- but other than one woman at the front desk who really helped us with dinner reservations and with moving our apartment, service did not particularly stand out.
Cleanliness & Comfort
As noted in my review, our initial apartment was dirty enough and in bad enough repair overall that we requested to be moved to a new apartment. Stay away from Apartment #511.
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
Lisboa

Great location, well appointed, clean rooms (the port in the rooms is a nice touch).

Cascais Miragem
Cascais - Portugal

Great location, beautiful ocean views with a balcony. Large rooms (our adjoining rooms had dressing room area(s) larger than many hotel rooms). Only stayed one night so can't speak to the pool and other services.

Activity Reviews
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Portugal

Sintra is a can't miss stop on your visit to Portugal and, at the suggestion of our driver, Andre, we combined our visit to Pena Palace with a visit to Quinta Da Regaleira and a quick lunch in the old town area-- which made for a perfect day trip from Lisbon.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andre is a MAJOR asset to his employer. We really enjoyed our time with him and his excellent recommendations. We will recommend him to others and request him as our driver on a return visit.
Transport
Very comfortable Mercedes vans were used throughout all of our transfers.
Panoramic Boat to the Ponta da Piedade Grottoes
Panoramic Boat to the Ponta da Piedade Grottoes
Portugal

Lovely private boat tour along with coast. Knowledgeable, pleasant guide and appreciated the mid-ride port sampling and that our son got to help drive the boat. Would have liked the option to jump in the water at some point, but recognize that was not part of the itinerary.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 01, 2024

Hey Jennifer,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
It was a pleasure to assist you and ensure your travel plans met your expectations.
Your appreciation of the welcome gift and our responsiveness to your concerns at the Algarve hotel means a lot. We strive to make every detail perfect for our travelers, and it's great to know we could address your needs promptly. Thank you for trusting us with your travel plans.
Your friend in Portugal - Pedro

Fabulous trip. would recommend it to our friends
Portugal | May 31 - Jun 15, 2024

L
Laura A.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2024
The guides we had were all exceptional and very knowlegable and fun to be with. They made our trip very special. The hotels were beautiful and spacious with the exception of the hotel Vintage Pestana which was a bit dated. Although the location was good. We especially loved the Palacio Ludivice in Lisbon, The Octant in Duoro and the Sensi in Azores. I would hightly recommend these hotels and would stay there again. I would take extra time to also stay more in the eastern part of the Duoro in... Read more

The guides we had were all exceptional and very knowlegable and fun to be with. They made our trip very special. The hotels were beautiful and spacious with the exception of the hotel Vintage Pestana which was a bit dated. Although the location was good. We especially loved the Palacio Ludivice in Lisbon, The Octant in Duoro and the Sensi in Azores. I would hightly recommend these hotels and would stay there again. I would take extra time to also stay more in the eastern part of the Duoro in addition to staying at the Octant to be closer to the wineries. Raquel put together an amazing trip.

Hotel Reviews
Palácio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel
Lisboa

beautiful hotel. exemplary staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas
Coimbra

beautiful. a few of rooms were musty so had to move to differnt rooms. upgraded to big suite Would never stay in the new addition. extremely ugly

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
two rooms they offered were musty/moldy
Octant Douro
Douro

Fabulous, want to go back

Authenticity & Character
Location
although not close to many wineries
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel & World Heritage Site
Porto

a bit dated and small rooms and bathrooms

Authenticity & Character
update the rooms
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
updated rooms
Sensi Azores Nature and SPA
Ponta Delgada

Will someday go back. loved everything about the hotel. Ate dinner there 3 times. superb

Authenticity & Character
Location
a bit far from Ponta Delgada
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Architectural & Historical Highlights of Lisbon
Architectural & Historical Highlights of Lisbon
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

loved sintra and our guide was exceptional. Had lunch at his family restaurant and met his wife. Best guide on the trip

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dinner With Locals at a Local Home
Dinner With Locals at a Local Home
Lisbon

One of highlights of trip. Loved spending toime with a local family. they were lovely. Best food in Lisbon

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
hard to find. took a taxi
Guided Visit of Historic Coimbra
Guided Visit of Historic Coimbra
Portugal

very interesting. beuatiful buildings

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wine Experience in the Douro Valley & River Cruise
Wine Experience in the Douro Valley & River Cruise
Douro Valley

amazing guide

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
good guide
Vintage Car Tour of Porto
Vintage Car Tour of Porto
Porto

it was good but short in the car

Quality of Experience
more sights to see
Guides, Drivers and Staff
enthusiastic
Transport
could have been longer in car to see more sights
Local specialist: Raquel Aceituno
Raquel
Raquel Aceituno
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 04, 2024

Dear Laura, I really appreciate your feedback and taking the time to share the highlights of your trip to Portugal. I'm so pleased that you and Greg had a wonderful trip!😍 I will pass your words on to our local guides, who will love to hear that they have contributed to a memorable trip and take note of the location of the Octant Douro hotel to explore the wineries.
All the best for the future. It has been a pleasure! x Raquel

Bring your sneakers
Portugal | Jun 7 - Jun 17, 2024

Melody
Melody M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2024
My three daughters and I had an amazing vacation. We saw a lot of the country in 10 days. From Porto to the Algarve and many stops in and around the major cities. Our drivers and guides were friendly and informative. I think a must do on my list would be to kayak around the rocks and caves in Lagos. The water is crystal clear and although the weather is hot there is a nice breeze The Portuguese folks are happy and friendly with concerts and dancing in the streets with little pop up beer... Read more

My three daughters and I had an amazing vacation. We saw a lot of the country in 10 days. From Porto to the Algarve and many stops in and around the major cities. Our drivers and guides were friendly and informative. I think a must do on my list would be to kayak around the rocks and caves in Lagos. The water is crystal clear and although the weather is hot there is a nice breeze The Portuguese folks are happy and friendly with concerts and dancing in the streets with little pop up beer gardens around the city of Lisbon.and Lagos. The towns seem to be very safe even in the evening and the towns are always lively. Everyone speaks English, it’s the common language to speak with most tourist. Don’t miss the beach town of Nazaré at least a quick lunch and visit to the light house. The Douro Valley is splendid to view and visit a winery while you’re there. The town of Sintra is very charming. We visited the pena castle with absolutely splendid gardens. Prepare to hike a bit and wear sneakers It also seems that most towns have a signature pastry so you must visit a bakery or two. I gained a pound or two!

Hotel Review
Vila Galé Lagos
Lagos

Very nice hotel, Great amenities with a great pool. 20 minutes walk to town but taxis and Uber are available easily. Spa on premises and a pool bar with a good lunch menus. Beautiful rooms but hard beds.

Authenticity & Character
Large rooms. Open and spacious.
Location
Beautiful rooms and pools
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The beds are hard
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 19, 2024

Dear Melody,
Thank you so much for such a detailed feedback!
Knowing you had a fabulous time and tons of fun in all the locations you mentioned and explored really means a lot. Portugal is awesome :)
Your friend in Portugal - Pedro

Pedro did an amazing job with our trip to Por...
Portugal | Jun 2 - Jun 12, 2024

J
Jill P.
Blackfoot, ID | Reviewed on Jun 18, 2024
Pedro did an amazing job with our trip to Portugal. He listened very carefully to our preferences and tailored the trip to accommodate our likes. His daily check in was incredibly reassuring. Our driver, Nelson, was very kind and a great resource during our travels. He was beyond professional and incredibly accommodating. I can't recommend Pedro enough! When we return to Portugal, we plan our travel with Pedro. Portugal is a beautiful country, with friendly and kind people. The... Read more

Pedro did an amazing job with our trip to Portugal. He listened very carefully to our preferences and tailored the trip to accommodate our likes. His daily check in was incredibly reassuring. Our driver, Nelson, was very kind and a great resource during our travels. He was beyond professional and incredibly accommodating. I can't recommend Pedro enough! When we return to Portugal, we plan our travel with Pedro.

Portugal is a beautiful country, with friendly and kind people. The food is delicious and the wine is amazing. We enjoyed our visit very much.

Hotel Review
Maison Albar Hotels Le Monumental Palace
Porto

Great location, clean rooms and friendly staff. The dining at the hotel was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings
Lisbon

Our guide Pedro was super knowledgable and took us on a great walking tour of Lisbon. He showed up some less crowded ways to navigate the city. The tour concluded with a wine and cheese tasting. Great guide, great city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 19, 2024

Dear Jill,
Thank you so much for your kind words and wonderful feedback - it means the world to me :)
It’s fantastic that you enjoyed the beauty, hospitality, and culinary delights of Portugal.
We look forward to helping you plan your next adventure.
Your friend in Portugal - Pedro

Raquel’s trip exceeded our expectations
Portugal | May 31 - Jun 15, 2024

Daniel
Daniel C.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2024
Raquel picked great hotels. Cliff Bay in Madeira was absolutely amazing. The private tours were wonderful. The cooking class in Porto with Chef Sara Verde with just the three of us cooking lunch was such a treat. Hiking with our guides in the Peneda-Gerês National Park was breathtaking. A great trip. Read more

Raquel picked great hotels. Cliff Bay in Madeira was absolutely amazing. The private tours were wonderful. The cooking class in Porto with Chef Sara Verde with just the three of us cooking lunch was such a treat. Hiking with our guides in the Peneda-Gerês National Park was breathtaking. A great trip.

Hotel Reviews
Douro Suites
Ribadouro
Location
Portugal Boutique Hotel
Lisbon

Boutique hotel next to their much larger hotel in the center of Lisbon’s tourist area. Great staff. Smallish room without any view. OK breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Perfect.
Staff
Always helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel & World Heritage Site
Porto

Busy area of Porto, so you have to want to be where the action is. Balcony room a must. River view adds so much. Fantastic breakfast and staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
In the middle of the River scene.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable beds.
The Cliff Bay
Funchal

WOW! What a beautiful property. Access to the ocean. Indoor/outdoor pools. Amazing breakfast in beautiful restaurants with outdoor eating in the gardens. Great room with ocean views. Short walk to downtown.

Authenticity & Character
Gardens. Can not be described with words. Just beautiful.
Location
Close to downtown. Ocean access.
Staff
Responds immediately to requests.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything perfect
Activity Reviews
Introducing Funchal - Food & Cultural Tour
Introducing Funchal - Food & Cultural Tour
Portugal

Cancelled due to holiday.

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

Driver just OK. Did adapt to our requests but didn’t adapt to issues in Cascais and never got to Estoril.

Quality of Experience
Needed to adapt to conditions.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra
Portugal

Personable driver. Could have provided more information on Coimbra.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine Experience in the Douro Valley & River Cruise
Wine Experience in the Douro Valley & River Cruise
Douro Valley

Didn’t do this tour.

Guided Visit of Porto's Architecture & World Heritage
Guided Visit of Porto's Architecture & World Heritage
Porto

Excellent personable guide. Great insight into Porto’s history with multiple recommendations for shopping and restaurants.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Day Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Porto

Two great hikes and tour of the old city.

Quality of Experience
Food
Nice local restaurant.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Personable and engaging. Chose two beautiful hikes.
Transport
 Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Portugal

Guide was great. Tour was a good introduction to the city. She took us to ethnic food areas that were outstanding. It is unlikely that we would have discovered these intimate areas.

Quality of Experience
Food
pastel de nata
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half-Day Hike Larano Cliff footpath
Half-Day Hike Larano Cliff footpath
Portugal

Didn’t do this tour.

Porto Cooking Class
Porto Cooking Class
Porto

Cooking lunch with Chef Sara Verde in her restaurant was a highlight of this trip. She was a wonderful host.

Quality of Experience
Food
Cooking in the Cataplana pans. Chef gs e us directions to a kitchen supply store to buy them!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Madeira East Island 4x4 Private Adventure
Madeira East Island 4x4 Private Adventure
Portugal

Great investigation of the Northwestern part of Madeira. A little too much time in the 4X4. Longer stops would be better.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable. .
Transport
Vehicle was old and felt somewhat unsafe. Seat belts were not functioning correctly.
Local specialist: Raquel Aceituno
Raquel
Raquel Aceituno
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 25, 2024

Hi Daniel! Thank you so much for taking the time to share the feedback of your trip to Portugal. I am glad to know that you and Rebecca had a great time and that the trip exceeded your expectations😊 . It was a pleasure creating this experience with you and hopefully, we get in touch again for future adventures. All the best, Raquel

Kiwis is Portugal 2024....
Portugal | May 29 - Jun 10, 2024

Andrea
Andrea E.
Australia | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2024
We have just returned home to NZ following an amazing trip to Portugal, planned and organized by our amazing agent Marisa Agulhas -with KimKim.
Marisa was a pleasure to deal with, she listened to our ideas and time frame, then managed to put together a custom-made trip for the 3 of us - 10yr old, 40yr old and 77yr old kiwis. The tour plan was adjusted to meet our interests, pace and budget, all online with easy to follow prompts. A whatsapp group was formed prior to arrival with a couple...
Read more

We have just returned home to NZ following an amazing trip to Portugal, planned and organized by our amazing agent Marisa Agulhas -with KimKim.
Marisa was a pleasure to deal with, she listened to our ideas and time frame, then managed to put together a custom-made trip for the 3 of us - 10yr old, 40yr old and 77yr old kiwis. The tour plan was adjusted to meet our interests, pace and budget, all online with easy to follow prompts. A whatsapp group was formed prior to arrival with a couple of Marisa's colleagues who kept themselves available 24hrs, and responded to all our questions/concerns very quickly. The accomodation chosen for us was comfortable, stylish and very central to what we were interested in. All the transport including car hire, private drivers, train and transfers were organized ahead of time, we had amazing guides hand picked for our adventures, so knowledgeable, patient and friendly. Our highlight was a trip to Sintra from Lisbon, we loved our guide Pedro who was happy to accommodate our interests and suggest options, all our guides were amazing with my 10yr old and elderly mum. We also really enjoyed our brief stay in Seville Spain, and the activities picked by Marisa, as well as a Flemenco show/dinner suggested by her colleague.
The level of Marisas availability, attention to detail and communication blew us away, I 100% recommend booking with her and KimKim for a seamless, interesting and fun experience!

Hotel Reviews
Vila Galé Lagos
Lagos

Great place to stay with kids, amazing pool, activities, and right across the road from the ocean! Comfortable beds, large rooms, lovely house keeping ladies. We loved the Italian restaurant by the pool, friendly waiters and delicious food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Tucked out the way, but convenient to most things
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lovely linen, comfy beds, nice outlook, clean bathroom, housekeepers went thr extra mile
Pousada Palacio De Estoi—Monument Hotel & SLH
Faro
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful historical palace, oozing with character and class
Location
Staff
Friendly staff, courteous and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
PortoBay Hotel Teatro
Porto

Loved this hotel, welcoming, comfortable and enjoyed the personal touches the staff made to make us feel valued. Great location, comfy beds and beautiful linen.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
NH Collection Sevilla
Seville
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Lisboa Plaza
Lisboa
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Panoramic Boat to the Ponta da Piedade Grottoes
Panoramic Boat to the Ponta da Piedade Grottoes
Portugal

Great captain and guide on board, kept us safe on a choppy sea, but also made sure we got value for money. Friendly, English speaking and fun

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey Walk
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey Walk
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tickets to Lello Bookshop
Tickets to Lello Bookshop
Porto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discovering Belém's Charm on a Tuk-Tuk Ride
Discovering Belém's Charm on a Tuk-Tuk Ride
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Portugal

We loved this day out, Pepe our driver was so friendly, knowledgeable patient and respectful. We were in safe hands, he was able to offer a range of activities, recommended places for lunch and extra spots of interests to suit our group. Loved Sintra!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pepe was amazing, so great with my 10yr old and elderly mother. v Very patient, knowledgeable and accommodating to our interests/needs
Transport
Very nice van, new Mercedes
Local specialist: Marisa Agulhas
Marisa
Marisa Agulhas
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 17, 2024

Dear Andrea,
Thank you so much for your kind words on our service and on your overall experience.
I am super happy to know you had a great time with your family :)
Thank you once again for your trust - Obrigado!!
Your Friend in Portugal - Marisa

The entire trip was marvelous, exactly what w...
Portugal | Jun 10 - Jun 15, 2024

Barbara
Barbara C.
Trumbull, CT | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2024
The entire trip was marvelous, exactly what we wanted - history, culture, archaeology and good food. And our driver/ guide was superlative. He went out of his way to make sure we did everything we wanted Read more

The entire trip was marvelous, exactly what we wanted - history, culture, archaeology and good food. And our driver/ guide was superlative. He went out of his way to make sure we did everything we wanted

Hotel Review
The Noble House
Evora

Breakfast was excellent and sufficient to keep you energized until dinner as long as there was a pastry stop midday. Only negaive was we had to go outside to get to our room

Authenticity & Character
Nicely appointed
Location
Within walking distance of everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Castelo de Vide visit
Castelo de Vide visit
Portugal

Tiago made sure our experience was broad a d detailed at the same time. We missed nothing and came away with a broader understanding of what occurred in Spain and Portugal during the inquisiton

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Algarve Caves Boat Tour
Algarve Caves Boat Tour
Portugal

The tour was great

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Ancient Roman City of Évora
Visit the Ancient Roman City of Évora
Portugal

We walked around the town and got a feel for the history of the area. Tiago made sure that we got a taste of local food in each of the areas we traveled and we did a lot of walking

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We walked A lot and saw everything
Local specialist: Tiago Filipe
Tiago
Tiago Filipe
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 20, 2024

Dear Barbara,

Thank you so very much for your sweet words!

I don't need to say it here because we have our own private thread ;), but you understood how much of a pleasure it was to tour you and Ira!

Wait for me in Connecticut or New York!!

We're in touch!

Best,

Tiago

Tiago was rude, obnoxious and unhelpful from ...
Portugal | May 25 - Jun 3, 2024

L
Laura G.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2024
Tiago was rude, obnoxious and unhelpful from start to finish. While planning, he argued with me about minor changes and hotel selections. Once in Portugal, his behavior was consistent with the planning phase. Our travel through Portugal was supposed to be with a paid for driver/tour guide. We got a driver, who was a very nice person and excellent driver, but had no information about the sites, their history or even important places for us to see on our own. He was not a tour guide. Thank... Read more

Tiago was rude, obnoxious and unhelpful from start to finish. While planning, he argued with me about minor changes and hotel selections. Once in Portugal, his behavior was consistent with the planning phase. Our travel through Portugal was supposed to be with a paid for driver/tour guide. We got a driver, who was a very nice person and excellent driver, but had no information about the sites, their history or even important places for us to see on our own. He was not a tour guide. Thank goodness I bought a Frommer’s tour book, otherwise we would have missed or not appreciated what we were seeing. We loved our trip with KimKim to Morocco last year, but we were disappointed with this experience.

Local specialist: Tiago Filipe
Tiago
Tiago Filipe
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 19, 2024
Hi Laura, I confess I receive your review with great surprise. First of all, I must say that I'm very sorry that the trip didn't go as well as you wished. I understand that this might have frustrating for you but, believe me, this is just as disappointing for me. We discussed the itinerary a number of times and I think I always tried to give you the best possible inputs for you to make the most of your trip, suggested different locations for you to stay and even during your stay always... Read more

Hi Laura,

I confess I receive your review with great surprise.

First of all, I must say that I'm very sorry that the trip didn't go as well as you wished. I understand that this might have frustrating for you but, believe me, this is just as disappointing for me.

We discussed the itinerary a number of times and I think I always tried to give you the best possible inputs for you to make the most of your trip, suggested different locations for you to stay and even during your stay always tried, together with the guide, accommodate last minute tweaks that you requested.

I also understand that the guide-driver might not have met your expectations, but I can guarantee you that he's an official guide and he actually gave me a positive feedback about your visit. And I spoke with him on a daily basis so, once again, it was with a bit of a shock that I received your comments.

Nonetheless, I fully respect how you feel and I'd very much like to have the opportunity to talk with you over the phone to understand a bit better what didn't go well and understand if there's anything I could do to make up for your experience and/or to improve our services. I'll text you in our thread.

Kind Regards,

Tiago

Anita, and the entire KimKim team, did a mast...
Portugal | May 24 - Jun 6, 2024

Ken
Ken N.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2024
Anita, and the entire KimKim team, did a masterful job of organizing and executing our two week visit to Portugal. Travel staff put together an agenda which ensured we saw and experienced Portugal from top to bottom, and by the trip conclusion we had come to fully appreciate what makes this wonderful country unique. Perhaps, most impressive was the fact that if there was an item on our agenda, no matter where or when it was, the expected person, van, bicycle, kayak, boat, jeep, rental car,... Read more

Anita, and the entire KimKim team, did a masterful job of organizing and executing our two week visit to Portugal. Travel staff put together an agenda which ensured we saw and experienced Portugal from top to bottom, and by the trip conclusion we had come to fully appreciate what makes this wonderful country unique. Perhaps, most impressive was the fact that if there was an item on our agenda, no matter where or when it was, the expected person, van, bicycle, kayak, boat, jeep, rental car, airplane, etc. was there right on time to take us to the next part of our agenda. Yes - some people may wonder if you could plan this trip without travel professionals like Anita and KimKim, and we did at the onset. However, we can say now with absolute certainty that our 2 weeks in Portugal could never have been so thorough, so eventful, and so memorable, had we not engaged with KimKim. We are most thankful for all the hard work and professionalism brought to our holiday experience and for the ways in which this made our Portugal visit truly special. We tip our hat to the excellent work of Anita and team.

Hotel Reviews
Legendary Porto Hotel
Porto

Location and staff were amazing! 10 out of 10. The particular room we were given was slightly dated but served us well overall and we appreciated having a nice outdoor balcony on our room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Central to anything that you may want to walk to. Perfect
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean but perhaps needing a little update/reno on the room
Hotel Mondego
Coimbra

We spent only one night in this hotel but found it to be comfortable, clean, modern, and with very friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tivoli Oriente Hotel
Lisbon

Beautiful hotel, modern clean rooms with helpful staff and a great bar up on the roof.

Authenticity & Character
Location
For some people this may be a great location but unfortunately we found ourselves constantly in a 30 minute Uber ride when looking to visit the sights of Lisboa. The hotel is in close proximity to shopping if that’s your thing but not in close proximity to the major attractions of Lisboa and as such it doesn’t lend itself well to walking.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pestana Promenade Ocean Resort Hotel
Funchal

We loved this hotel. Super friendly staff, great view, large clean room, and wonderful pools to swim in. The complimentary breakfast was the best of our entire trip. At first it may seem like there are not many restaurants nearby but an easy 5 minute walk puts you in touch with some great bars and food establishments, just need to go looking. Walking into the city of Funchal was possible from here and it was nice to be away from the noise of the city. Great choice for this property.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Hands down the friendliest person of our entire trip was the nice lady who welcomes people to their breakfast table
Cleanliness & Comfort
Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto
Lisbon

Beautiful, clean, modern hotel in walking distance from the Airport. Great for transfers but not great as a vacation destination property as it’s too far from most of the Lisboa attractions.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise
Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise
Porto

What a breathtaking experience this was. The scenery was out of this world. A must visit for anyone coming to the Porto area of Portugal.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was OK and knowledgeable but unfortunately just seemed to be a little too “high energy” for the group he was driving. He was a young man, and I won’t quote his name in this review, but his aggressive driving was a complaint by a few people on the trip and we had asked him to cool it, made worse by the driver boasting about how little sleep he had had the night before. In the end his over the top enthusiasm caused his van to be in a minor collision with another car and everyone in our group could have predicted this far before it happened.
Transport
Foodie Experience in Porto
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

This was fantastic and in our opinion a must do for people visiting Porto. Our guide and all the restaurants who welcomed us were outstanding. Highly recommended.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was amazing - actually better than amazing if that’s possible
Transport
Guided Visit to Porto
Guided Visit to Porto
Porto

This was a great tour for us but we could see that it may not be right for everyone. We loved the up close experience we had to seeing the sights of Porto but in doing so you need to put your steep hill shoes on and be prepared to navigate some crazy streets and sidewalks. 100% ok for us but perhaps not for all. Our guide did a great job of looking after us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Porto

Beautiful, breathtaking, spectacular scenery and a wonderful guide

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Small Group Excursion to Sintra & Pena Palace
Small Group Excursion to Sintra & Pena Palace
Lisbon

This one is a “must” for visitors to Portugal. It will be an entire day excursion in a van but worth every minute in our opinion. We were also fortunate to have a tour guide at the “expert” level and one that even had a plan-B for every delay or possible interruption we encountered. This trip could not have gone more smoothly. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dinner With Locals at a Local Home
Dinner With Locals at a Local Home
Lisbon

This one experience made our entire 2 week visit to Portugal worthwhile. We were welcomed into the home of Sofia and Carlos and they immediately made us feel like family. We enjoyed a beautiful home cooked meal, we laughed, told stories, and were treated like friends. I cannot envision a more genuine experience when visiting Portugal and full credit goes to our hosts Sofia’s and Carlos for this night. This is not something that could be repeated by just any host - this couple is truly special and they deserve a huge thanks for being such great ambassadors for the wonderful country of Portugal.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lisbon Up the Hills E-Bike Experience
Lisbon Up the Hills E-Bike Experience
Lisbon

This was a fantastic way to see Lisbon. However, it turned out that pretty much our entire bike ride was either flat or downhill. As a result, there was really no need for an e-bike. At the same time, it would have also been great to have an option, even at extra cost, to keep the bike beyond the tour for extra exploring. We saw so many sights and wanted to return for a better look and a bicycle is the perfect vehicle for the excursion.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Enchanted Terraces and Porto do Moniz Tour
Enchanted Terraces and Porto do Moniz Tour
Portugal

Great experience and extremely worthwhile. We had set off to Madeira thinking that we would need to do several different tours of the island to see the highlights. Lo and behold, this one day trip in an open jeep took us to almost everywhere we had wanted to go. It was perfect and if one has only a few days to spend on Madeira then this is a great way to have a condensed high quality experience. Our tour guide was funny, informative, a great driver, and went above and beyond for everyone’s benefit. Job well done here.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Garajau Nature Reserve: Kayaking, Snorkeling & Cliff Diving
Garajau Nature Reserve: Kayaking, Snorkeling & Cliff Diving
Portugal

This was an enjoyable experience and we were most grateful to see the Madeira shoreline by kayak and then to snorkel in the protected waters of the Atlantic. The facility we left shore from was first class. Our only concern on this trip was that the nice young man who was our guide was really put in a very difficult position. He never complained or asked for anyone’s help but he was expected to single handedly launch, and then lift 75 lb. kayaks up out of the ocean, and pull them solo up a 6 ft ladder with just a rope wrapped around his arm. He wouldn’t let his customers (us) help him and it’s a miracle he wasn’t physically injured by his job. We felt sorry for him and his employer should be checked for creating an unsafe work environment. I think the young man didn’t want to complain and we sensed that he greatly valued the job he’d been given. Just a bit sketchy to watch.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Anita Matijasevic
Anita
Anita Matijasevic
Local specialist in Madrid & Florence | Replied on Jun 14, 2024

Hi Ken & Sharon, thank you very much for taking the time to submit your trip review. I am pleased to hear you had a great time in Portugal and will pass along your kind words to all the team and our local guides. I am surprised to hear about your excursion to Douro and I'll make sure to check what happened that day so that it doesn't repeat.
I hope to work together again for your future trips to Europe. Thank you for choosing Espíritu Travel Family!! I wish you all the best 😍

This is the first time we used kimkim for a t...
Portugal | May 24 - Jun 5, 2024

Hillary
Hillary S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2024
This is the first time we used kimkim for a travel experience. We weren't familiar with Portugal, so we relied on the advice of Katerina, Karin, and Anita to guide us with customizing the itinerary. We requested minor revisions to the itinerary which were accepted graciously. The final itinerary and instructions for traveling were detailed, organized, and complete. We felt very comfortable traveling to a country we never visited before due to the kimkim team's guidance. While in Portugal,... Read more

This is the first time we used kimkim for a travel experience. We weren't familiar with Portugal, so we relied on the advice of Katerina, Karin, and Anita to guide us with customizing the itinerary. We requested minor revisions to the itinerary which were accepted graciously. The final itinerary and instructions for traveling were detailed, organized, and complete. We felt very comfortable traveling to a country we never visited before due to the kimkim team's guidance.

While in Portugal, we had just a few minor "bumps", but we were very impressed with how the kimkim team responded and immediately made adjustments. They did everything possible to ensure we were safe, happy, and cared for while traveling. We want to say, " thank you", to our tour guides and drivers; Emmanuel, Clarissa? and Rui. We asked for Rui again because he went above and beyond for an amazing experience! in Porto, Felipa, Ricardo, and Nuno who also went above and beyond to show us the beauty and provided so much education about Portugal.

To summarize, we look forward to planning many more trips in the near future with kimkim. We highly suggest taking their suggestions and requesting what is important to you. The kimkim team will make sure your traveling experience will be truly memorable!

Thanks for the wonderful Portugal experience!

Hillary and Michael

Local specialist: Anita Matijasevic
Anita
Anita Matijasevic
Local specialist in Madrid & Florence | Replied on Jun 24, 2024

Hi Hillary and Michael, thank you very much for taking the time to write your trip review! I am pleased to hear you had a great time in Portugal and I will pass along your kind words to all the team and our Guides😊 Wish we work together on another adventure in the future! Warm regards from Espiritu Travel Team, Anita

Fantastic experience in Portugal!
Portugal | May 20 - Jun 2, 2024

Angela
Angela M.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2024
The whole trip was memorable. Tiago did an amazing job. We learned so much about the Country and History. I loved experiencing different regions and seeing beautiful beaches, wine country, Castles and Palaces. Food was wonderful. Tiago was patient, flexible and we enjoyed his company. Read more

The whole trip was memorable. Tiago did an amazing job. We learned so much about the Country and History. I loved experiencing different regions and seeing beautiful beaches, wine country, Castles and Palaces. Food was wonderful. Tiago was patient, flexible and we enjoyed his company.

Hotel Reviews
The Vine House—Quinta São Luiz
Tabuaço

Fabulous place to stay!

Authenticity & Character
Scenery
Location
First time staying at a Vineyard, lived the wine tasting and river trip. Beautiful setting!
Staff
Accommodating and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
NH Collection Porto Batalha
Porto

Beautiful hotel, great setting.

Authenticity & Character
History
Location
Convince with site seeing.
Staff
Friendly, accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tiago Filipe
Tiago
Tiago Filipe
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 09, 2024

Dear Angie!!

Thank you so much for your feedback!! Truly appreciated! You were an incredible company and it was a pleasure showing you around. It didn't feel like work at all!!

I only regret that Myles didn't get to try some of the Algarve golf courses! Fingers crossed he'll do that someday!!

Miss you all!! Really, really!!!

All the best,

Tiago

PS: Please let me know if you have Whatsapp. I've been in touch with Shaun and would love to stay in touch with you too, even if only for a quick hi every now and then!!

Portugal tour from Porto to the Algarve..
Portugal | May 20 - Jun 1, 2024

D
Dennis S.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2024
Overall our trip was great. The hotels were located centrally in the cities they were in and the rooms were nice. Our biggest disappointment were some of the tours. When we went to the vineyards in the Douro valley we expected to go
to 2 or 3 vineyards wine tasting white and red wines not a port house since we visited those in Porto. We did stop at one
to taste white port that was included but would have rather have had a wine tasting of all their wines. Our driver fortunately did ask and...
Read more

Overall our trip was great. The hotels were located centrally in the cities they were in and the rooms were nice. Our biggest disappointment were some of the tours. When we went to the vineyards in the Douro valley we expected to go
to 2 or 3 vineyards wine tasting white and red wines not a port house since we visited those in Porto. We did stop at one
to taste white port that was included but would have rather have had a wine tasting of all their wines. Our driver fortunately did ask and we were able to taste some of their wines but this was not part of the trip. The port winery we did
visit was beautiful but again would have preferred a regular wine tasting since we tasted port in Porto. On the tour to Belem I thought we would visit the Jeronimos Monastery but when we got there the guide told us of long lineups and there wouldn't be enough time to see it. If I had known that I would have done our own tour to Belem. The Sintra trip I thought we were visiting Pena Palace as well the way the description of tour was presented. The bike tour in the Algarve also didn't come as advertised as anticipated most of the tour to be along the cliffs overlooking the ocean but that part of the tour wasn't that long. I also wished we had the Evora tour earlier in the day as some of the tips the guide gave us were of no use since we were leaving the next morning. We would have done a wine tasting in the afternoon then. Overall our guides and drivers were very good .

Hotel Reviews
The Editory House Ribeira
Porto

Rooms were small but the setting was fantastic and their breakfast was first class. The only thing missing was a fitness centre

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade
Lisbon

Great location and nice rooms. The fitness centre could have better equipment.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Évora Olive Hotel
Evora

Nice rooms and great breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Short walk to the centre of the city
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tivoli Lagos
Lagos

Good location with nice views of the city.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
H10 Duque de Loule
Lisboa

Beautiful rooms with great beds. Nice rooftop bar but no fitness centre

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Foodie Experience in Porto
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

Overall the places we went to were good except maybe for the last stop for desert. The guide was great.

Quality of Experience
Food
Sampling of different foods and wines
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Porto

We expected we were going to vineyards for wine tastings not port tastings since we did this in Porto The cruise was a little disappointing as well as i didn't realize we were doing a circle instead of going from one stop to another

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver and guide compensated for what was a poorly described tour
Transport
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra
Portugal

We didn't get to visit the library in Coimbra as we should have gotten advance tickets. We didn't realize how popular the tours were . Since it was a stop I would have coordinated a tour with the driver so we would gotten there at a scheduled time,

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

A nice walking tour of Lisbon explaining some of the history

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Go West to Belém TukTuk Tour
Go West to Belém TukTuk Tour
Lisbon

Different and nice way of visiting Belem but not enough time to see the sights,

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

Great visit to Quinta Regaleira Sintra and Cascais

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Privately Guided Visit of Évora
Privately Guided Visit of Évora
Portugal

Guide was very knowledgeable and had some great tips

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}}, Wine Tasting & Lunch at a Quinta
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}}, Wine Tasting & Lunch at a Quinta
Portugal

Great visit to the vineyard where we got to taste good quality wines and food.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lagos & Ponta da Piedade Bike Tour
Lagos & Ponta da Piedade Bike Tour
Portugal

We wanted more of a bike ride along the cliffs and not so much time in the city

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience
4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience
Portugal

Our guide took us some great spots along the way and we watched the sunset in a great spot.

Quality of Experience
The spot of the sunset
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Driver was very funny and entertaining
Transport
Catamaran Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach
Catamaran Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach
Portugal

Great visit to the caves.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Karin Eckhard
Raquel
Raquel Aceituno
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 14, 2024
Hi Dennis,
Thank you for taking the time to share the feedback about your trip to Portugal.
I am happy to hear that your overall trip was great and that you liked your hotels and locations and your local guides!
I would like to address your comments below;
As described in the activity, the Douro Valley experience includes just a wine tasting with winery visit river cruise. The local wines offered, especially in northern Portugal are mostly Port. If you were interested in other red and white...
Read more

Hi Dennis,
Thank you for taking the time to share the feedback about your trip to Portugal.
I am happy to hear that your overall trip was great and that you liked your hotels and locations and your local guides!

I would like to address your comments below;
As described in the activity, the Douro Valley experience includes just a wine tasting with winery visit river cruise. The local wines offered, especially in northern Portugal are mostly Port. If you were interested in other red and white wines you could have informed us during the planning of your trip and we would have happily provided you options.

The tuk-tuk tour of Belem is a ride through some of Lisbon´s neighbourhoods, however does not include the entrance to any attractions. Unfortunately, there are many visitors in Portugal these months and to be able to enter a monument like Jeronimo’s you had to get the tickets in advance. If you had let us know, we would have purchased it for you.

The Sintra tour description in your travel documentation specifies that you were going to visit Quinta de Regaleira, Sintra surroundings and Cascais, which by your comments you did visit it.
The Bike tour in Lagos has a good balance of exploring the old town and sea cliffs, as described in the activity.

I wish you and your family all the best,
Raquel

Mackenzie - Review of Portugal Trip
Portugal | May 25 - Jun 4, 2024

Mackenzie
Mackenzie B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2024
My trip to Portugal was amazing, Helena worked with me and my friend planning exactly what we wanted. It was reassuring to know that everything was basically taken care of (ex. hotels, train tickets, guides, drivers etc.). When we arrived in Porto we had drivers pick us up and all was easy to find. We had a guide of Porto on day two (I think her name was Helena/Elena?). Very good tour guide, well versed on the areas and she introduced us to the shop Manteigaria (custard tarts) which were... Read more

My trip to Portugal was amazing, Helena worked with me and my friend planning exactly what we wanted. It was reassuring to know that everything was basically taken care of (ex. hotels, train tickets, guides, drivers etc.). When we arrived in Porto we had drivers pick us up and all was easy to find. We had a guide of Porto on day two (I think her name was Helena/Elena?). Very good tour guide, well versed on the areas and she introduced us to the shop Manteigaria (custard tarts) which were amazing and we ate them every day. We also had a driver/guide (Carlos) to take us to towns outside of Porto, which were nice to see. We then went to Lisbon and really enjoyed it there. Alex was our guide and took us for a walking tour of the city. We then had a guide/driver (I think the company was called The Worst Tours and our guide was named Marta?) and we went outside of Liston to Sintra and Cascais which were really beautiful! Definitely recommend that excursion to those areas. After a few days in Lisbon we then ventured down to Lagos via two trains from Lisbon. I cannot say enough good things about the Cascades Wellness Resort. The staff were very helpful and really nice and the restaurants and pools on site were amazing. You really don't even have to leave the resort. All 3 hotels were great on the trip but Cascades topped it. Overall I would say this was a 5/5 star trip!!

Hotel Reviews
Cascade Wellness
Lagos

The Cascade Wellness Resort was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and the hotel amenities were amazing. It was not a far taxi/Uber ride from the train station and when we arrived we were warmly welcomed and stayed in a very luxurious room. The infinity pools were so nice and the restaurants were top notch. One of the managers Cristiana Garoto was very very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Amazing resort not far from the train station and the views were outstanding
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pousada Porto—Rua das Flores
Porto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Vincci Baixa
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Jun 21, 2024
Dear Mackenzie
Thank you for your wonderful review of your trip to Portugal. It was a pleasure working with you and Ginny to plan your trip. I am delighted to hear that everything went well and that you enjoyed the hotels, tours and guides that I arranged for you.
I'm glad you had a great time at all the places and that you appreciated the local recommendations. It is great to know that our guides contributed positively to your experience.
I also very much appreciate your comments about the...
Read more

Dear Mackenzie
Thank you for your wonderful review of your trip to Portugal. It was a pleasure working with you and Ginny to plan your trip. I am delighted to hear that everything went well and that you enjoyed the hotels, tours and guides that I arranged for you.
I'm glad you had a great time at all the places and that you appreciated the local recommendations. It is great to know that our guides contributed positively to your experience.
I also very much appreciate your comments about the Cascades Wellness Resort and the excursion to Sintra. I have passed on your words to all of them and they are very happy.
Looking forward to helping you with future travels, have you considered Spain, Italy or Morocco?
Warm regards,
Helena