Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

The team in Portugal (Pedro our trip planner and the guides/drivers Pedro, Andre, Pedro and George) were fantastic. Everything went well and according to the trip plan. Could not have done it without Kimkim and Across Portugal.

Hotel Reviews

MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel

Lisbon

The hotel was in a very good location, and we felt very safe! I wouldn't have changed it at all.

Location

NH Hotel Porto Jardim

Porto

This hotel is in a very good location, and we felt safe. I couldn't mention anything bad about this hotel choice. It was great!

Luz Charming House

Fátima

Very special experience. The rooms are unique. The restaurant has great breakfast and the dinner menu is excellent. The hosts are amazing. Very relaxing and peaceful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Food

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Scenic Group Boat Voyage along the Douro River

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service from Porto

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Douro Valley Vineyard Delightful Lunch Experience

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was the perfect mix of everything we had asked for. It included a mix of cities, small towns, food, culture and activities. There was enough free time for us to fill in with things we learned about during our travels. All of our accommodations were wonderful and the guides for all of our excursions were exceptional.

Hotel Reviews

MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel

Lisbon

This hotel was in a great location. The rooms were small but very comfortable. The breakfast offered by the hotel was very good and had a large selection of different foods. Baixa can be a loud section of the city and we had to keep our windows closed during the night to keep the noise out. This wouldn't affect my decision to stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Costa D’Oiro Ambiance Village

8600-544

Lovely hotel in a fairly convenient location. Their breakfast was exceptional with everything you can imagine on the buffet. Water pressure and temperature control in the shower was an issue but I would stay at this location again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pousada Castelo de Óbidos

Óbidos

This was the coolest place to stay. We had views of the castle courtyard from our room. The breakfast buffet was very good with several choices. The hotel staff were extremely helpful and obviously love their jobs in the castle. We would definately stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MyStay Porto Bolhão

Porto

The location of this hotel turned out to be perfect once we got our bearings in the city. The bed was extremely comfortable and the room was clean. The "breakfast" was rather disappointing, especially after the fantastic breakfasts we had at all of our previous accommodations. We were surprised to receive a box of milk and juice and a cellophane wrapped bread with jam. The coffee was freeze dried and tea choice was limited - no nespresso!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Our interactions were all virtual. They were responsive and efficient but I can not really comment on "staff" as we never met anyone.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

Fantastic tour and tour guide!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Full Day Privately Guided Visit of Lisbon

Lisbon

Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us around the city to see all the sights. I was disappointed that we did not really go "in" to any sights - only one church. We simply "walked by" everything. Our tour did include tickets to go into the Monastery in Belem but the lines were so long that we opted to pass rather then spend an hour standing in line. Having a prepaid tour should have included some priority placement in the line. Also since this was a full day tour it would have been nice to have the meal included. We paid for our lunch and for the guides meal too - While I didn't mind paying for the guides lunch, it seems like this should have been made clear at the purchase of the tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

We loved our guide. Jorge was fantastic and was very knowledgeable. The picnic he prepared for us was so cute. This tour only included the entrance to the castle. It was a nice long hike.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Catamaran Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach

Portugal

This was a lot of fun and the coast line that we saw was magnificent.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Secret Porto Walking Experience

Porto

Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us on a great walking tour of old Porto.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market

Porto

The guides on this tour were amazing. This was a great food tour for the northern parts of Portugal.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise

Porto

Our guide was fantastic! We were fortunate to have a great group of tourists and a fun day together driving to the Douro valley, visiting the wineries, having a meal, enjoying the scenery and taking a boat tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pedro was awesome! He contacted us daily while we were in Portugal to make sure everything was OK and to give us our schedule for the next day. He was very accommodating when we decided to change things halfway through.
Our driver, Pepe, also was very accommodating. His recommendations for dinner and lunch were excellent!
I highly recommend Kim Kim and Pedro if you’re planning a trip to Portugal!!!🇵🇹 .

Kimkim put together an amazing 10-day trip for us to Portugal. It was my husband and me. It was our first time using Kimkim, and we were not disappointed. We stayed in Lisbon, Porto and Lagos, and Kimkim arranged tours in each location. We loved the hotels in Lisbon and Lagos, and every single tour was AMAZING (I was running out of cash from all of the tips ;) but it was cash well spent. We had a few little hiccups that come with traveling and were no fault of Kimkim. In those instances, Kimkim was quick to respond and help. With the convenience of the Internet, I have always planned my own trips of late, and was very reluctant to use an agency. I am very, very glad I did, as I could have planned the trip, but I don't think I could have had the "local touch" that Kimkim provided. We will definitely use them again for our next journey, and highly recommend their services.

Hotel Reviews

Alecrim ao Chiado

Lisbon

We loved this hotel! It is charming and in a good spot. It did get a little loud late at night as it's near a few clubs, but we slept right through it. The breakfast is amazing. I believe the hotel is part of a former palace, and it has some of the old exposed walls that come along with it. We had a suite and it was roomy and clean. The room included a Nepresso machine which was convenient. Our bathroom had a double sink and large shower. There was ample storage space. Check in was easy and everyone was super friendly. We would stay here again, and highly recommend it.

Authenticity & Character

It was old but had modern conveniences. We were comfortable and slept well.

Location

It was easy to walk everywhere.

Staff

Everyone was great and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was clean.

Porto Charming Hotel

Porto

I am not one to leave bad reviews but we did not enjoy this hotel. My husband and I were in the room. The room was very small and awkward. We could barely move throughout the room together. The closet was behind a curtain. The bathroom was tough to use. By this I mean when you leaned over to wash your face, your head hit the glass shelf over the sink. It was made more awkward because apparently many Portuguese hotels do not have bath clothes (small and square) but instead give you what at least an American would call an hand towel, and a large one at that. It's hard to wash your face with a hand towel, especially when you whack you head on the too-close shelf. For the breakfast, the food was very good and local, but the stated times were 8-10 am. Many times we had tours at 8:30, so we really needed the breakfast up and ready by 8 am. It was never fully ready until about 8:30 am, including the coffee. There was a very sweet lady setting up the breakfast, but it felt like she could have used some more help. Also, there was a sign that said coffee would be available pretty much all day, but it never was. (Coffee during breakfast was also an issue - it constantly ran out.). One day our room was not cleaned because the cleaning person didn't show up. Okay. Perhaps I am overacting, but we paid a lot for this room (including daily breakfast and a daily serviced room), we didn't feel this hotel delivered. Overall we didn't feel super welcome here - we felt like we were an inconvenience. Maybe it was just us - I noticed great reviews throughout the lobby. The only comment I can end with is I would not stay here again.

Costa D’Oiro Ambiance Village

8600-544

Loved, loved, loved this hotel. It is super convenient to the beaches and walking trails of Lagos. We love to hike and specifically asked for a vacation experience that made this easy. There are so many walking trails near this hotel. The city center is about 15/20 minutes by foot. It's easy to get there and you see a lot of people walking/doing the same. We always felt very safe here and while walking anywhere. The hotel staff was kind and courteous, and this hotel has an AMAZING breakfast. We didn't come to sit by the pool, we did go there for several hours one afternoon. The bar service for the pool was efficient and quick, and the pool side food was good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto

Lisbon

We were in and out of this hotel quickly. Most people probably come in the night before an early morning flight (we did.). This would be a great hotel in which to spend more time - the room is modern and nice, there is a spa service, and the food was good. The breakfast starts at 4 am, which gives people with early morning flights time to eat before leaving. There is a shuttle that will take you to the airport, but if you don't mind a quick walk, you can also walk to the airport terminal (yes, it's that close). The breakfast here was excellent. We'd stay here again and highly recommend this hotel. The staff was very welcoming, and we enjoyed the "Lisbon" welcome cookies upon checkin.

Location

Super convenient for travelers with early morning flights.

Staff

They were friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

What a great way to get to know Lisbon! We enjoyed this three-hour tour with our host Dani. We arrived in the morning, and took this group tour at 3 pm. There was less than 10 of us. It was the perfect way to 1) see the city 2) get a meal without having to think about it and 3) make some new friends.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was Dani and she was fabulous.

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

This three-hour private tour of Lisbon was awesome. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, and we covered a lot of ground. He explained architecture, history, and so many other things. He hit all of the sites that we wanted to see, and provided introspective details that we clearly would not have gotten on our own.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was amazing. I'm pretty sure his name was Alec or Alex, and I included him in one of the photos.

Fado Dinner Experience

Lisbon

We enjoyed the Fado show. The singers were soulful with their songs. We had read in advance that one should not clap at Fado shows, but everyone in the audience did, so we did too. This Fado spot is in a lovely spot by the Cathedral of Se, and made for a charming walk to/from our hotel. The food was fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Food

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

This full day tour was incredible. Sintra was like walking into a fairy tale. We had a misty, cool day, and the castle decided it didn't want to be seen during our visit ;( but exploring the grounds was amazing. There was something at every turn. we loved seeing all of the different plants and trees, and hearing (and seeing a few) birds. We asked for options to hike during our tour of Portugal, and this spot didn't disappoint. We opted to hike to the top near the old Moorish fort. It's a good 45 minute hike pretty much straight up. Coming down was a good workout as well. Sintra is definitely a hilly adventure and well worth it.

Quality of Experience

Sintra is magical.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Jorge was excellent. He was born in Sintra and provided interesting memories from his childhood. He grew up roaming around the castle grounds, and really gave insights that made the tour very special.

Transport

On time, suitable for the experience, roomy and clean.

Privately Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

We didn't have much time in Porto, and this three-hour tour gave us a great overview of the city. Our guide was born in Porto and knew the ins and outs of the city. He was clearly very proud of his city, and his enthusiasm was contagious. We covered a lot of ground, and Porto is a hilly city. We got a good workout!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Ricardo was awesome. We had another tour with the same tour company the next day, and everyone said Ricardo was the "Porto expert." We highly agreed!

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & Hiking Routes

Porto

For us a trip to Porto without going to the Douro Valley would have been incomplete. So we went to the Douro :) This day trip was extremely worthwhile. We were worried because the weather in Porto had turned wet and chilly. Everyone kept saying "The Douro Valley has its own microclimate - it could be raining or sunny." Everyone was right. It was sunny but windy. It's over an hour and a half drive to get where we were going, but wow, was every mile beautiful. The bends and turns each brought a different view. We had a great picnic with local wine and food, and enjoyed an informative tour of one vineyard. We saw a hawk and several falcons, plus a few other native birds -- we love seeing birds so this was a highlight for us. We stopped on the way back in Amarante and had a great (despite wet) walk around the town.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Ria Lagos was excellent. He really made sure we had a good experience because the weather was tricky.

Transport

On time, very sufficient for the tour. Once in the Douro Valley, some of the roads to the winery were twisty and mountainous. An off-road vehicle was a must and this one was suited for its purpose.

Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Porto

While all of our excursions in Portugal were awesome, this trip to Geres may have been our favorite. This park is simply gorgeous. We came to Portugal to get some hikes in, and that is exactly what we did on this full day tour. We had several challenging hikes throughout the day. The landscape was beautiful and at times rugged, but our guide made sure we always felt safe and were ready to keep going. The views from the day were incredible. The mid-day meal was exceptional - it was a lot of food. We enjoyed seeing the small village and learning about its history. We really liked how the tour company worked along with the community to help give back by letting us plant a seedling (oaks and chestnuts) that in the future would be replanted in the forest.

Quality of Experience

Food

The lunch at the restaurant was very good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Antonio was a great guide. His knowledge of the area and the local village was great. I personally liked his playlist, and will always remember going through the Geres park listening to Guns-n-Roses.

Transport

On time, perfect vehicle for the terrain, which was rough but expected (this is NOT a complaint.).

4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience

Portugal

What a great tour to end our visit in Portugal with this adventure in the Algarve. This is more than a quick peek at the sunset. Our guide picked us up from our hotel in Lagos, and we made our way village by village over to Cape Saint Vincent, the most southeastern point in Europe. Because he grew up in this area, at each stop our guide gave insights into what made each little village special from his perspective. We ultimately made our way to Cape Saint Vincent where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, but this is not where we saw the sunset. Our guide timed it perfectly, and we went further to a very secluded spot and celebrated the setting of the sun. It was an amazing day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Nicholas was great. He was a local, and knew the cities and the coastline well. His ability to time the sunset viewing experience perfectly was admirable!

Transport

On time, vehicle suitable for the purpose.

We made our travel arrangements with João and found him to be very responsive and helpful. He also provided a road book with good suggestions for restaurants and additional things to do. We were also pleased with the guides he set up. Joel gave us a thorough overview of the Lisbon neighborhoods. We enjoyed seeing some sights in the northern part of the city (the bullfighting rink),the walk through the Alfama. and visiting a few scenic overlooks. We were glad he encouraged us to see Belem and dropped us off there. Our guide Manuel gave us an enthusiastic tour of Porto. We especially liked learning about the architecture, including the visit to the Museu da Cidade. Glad we had a chance to visit the Bolhão market and hear some of Manuel's interesting stories about the history of Porto.
We had a great time on the visit João booked with Cork Trekking in the Alentejo - walking past the vineyards, the cork and holm oak trees, and learning about cork harvesting and production from our guide Celino. At the end of the day, it was nice to return to the peaceful and scenic lodging at Montimerso.

Our group of 8 had a wonderful time . Unfortunately four of us missed several tours and several people had to wait several days for their luggage but I spite of that we loved Portugal, found Nazare interesting and loved the convenience of all our transfers. Thanks to Rita and Karin for helping us get the documents we need to get reimbursed for hotel and tour expenses.

Kim Kim helped us to structure the trip and provided guides and drivers as well as interesting experiences. The most outstanding guide was Paolo, for our day in Sintra and along the coast. He was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. He understood that we like to walk and structured the day to include as much walking as possible. His wife, Anita, gave us the warmest welcome when we ate lunch at her restaurant in Sintra. We truly felt special and cared for. Another highlight was the lunch and wine tasting at Morgado Do Quintao. The food and wine were excellent and they were very attuned to our request for a vegetarian meal. The setting was magnificent, and the company of other guests provided for enjoyable conversation.

Our tour in the Duoro Valley with Pedro was also excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable about wine production, he made us a reservation at a wonderful restaurant for lunch, and he took us to some beautiful view points.

The car rental from Sixt was excellent; we had a brand new car and both pick and drop off went smoothly. One suggestion for improvement is that the directions for return of the car to the airport embedded in the Kim Kim app (where it says "click here for exact directions") were incorrect and gave a destination on Ave. da Liberdade. Fortunately we noticed that it was not at the airport and were able to find the correct directions ourselves.

The Porto food tour was the most disappointing activity. We enjoyed the company of the other people on the tour, but the food was terrible (other than the first stop at a small shop where they werved wine, cheese and sliced meat). In particular, the second stop was at a bar, where we ate in the basement and bugs hovered over the food. All of the food options there were pork and although they served us a "vegetarian" option of some sort of fish cake, it was inedible.

Hotel Reviews

PortoBay Hotel Teatro

Porto

Staff was friendly and location was convenient for walking to major sights.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Quinta de la Rosa

Pinhão

Gorgeous location. We took a walk in the vineyard, which was a highlight of our stay. Dinner in the more upscale restaurant was delicious, with a magnificant view of the Duoro River and terraced hillsides.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade

Lisbon

Front desk staff was extremely helpful. Room was comfortable. Location was central and felt safe.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cascade Wellness

Lagos

Outstanding location with easy access to beautiful walking paths along the cliffs and overlooking the ocean. Friendly and helpful staff and beautiful grounds. Large and comfortable room.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Foodie Experience in Porto

Porto

It was interesting to meet the other people in the group, who were all friendly and easy to talk to. However, the food aspect of the trip was poor. In particular, the second stop was at a bar where we sat in the basement and insects hovered over the food on the table. There were several of us in the group who do not drink beer, but this was the only beverage option there. The food served was all variations of pork. We had requested vegetarian food and we were served some sort of "fish" cake which was inedible.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Get to know Porto by E-bike

Porto

Our guide was patient and attentive and clearly concerned about our safety.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Wine Experience in the Douro Valley & River Cruise

Douro Valley

The scenery in the Duoro Valley is amazing and Pedro was an excellent guide. He is extremely knowledgeable about wine and tried to teach all about Port wine. He made us a lunch reservation at an excellent restaurant and he took us to several beautiful overlooks.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking Excursion: Sintra, Pena Palace & Cabo da Roca

Lisbon

Our guide Paolo was outstanding. He is knowledgeable, pleasant to be with, and an excellent driver. He understood that we like to walk and he made sure to include as many opportunities for walking as possible. We were welcomed like long lost friends by his wife Anita when we had lunch at her restaurant in Sintra. We truly felt well cared for.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Alex was knowledgeable and passionate about Lisbon and its history. He gave us an excellent overview of the city and the history of Portugal.

This was a fabulous trip. Of special note is the quality and flexibility of our guides. They were fantastic. Rachel was also flexible and responsive to all our questions and modifications. This was a great trip.

Hotel Review

Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa

Evora

I am recommending this to friends. The hotel and spa is beautiful as were the grounds and the service was outstanding.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

This was one of my favorite days. Our guide modified the trip by excluding the river cruise and it was the right call.

Quality of Experience

The visit to the winery and the wonderful meal

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sweet and Tasting Évora Tour

Évora

This was not my favorite experience . The sweets tended to be too much at once.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fado Dinner Experience

Lisbon

Going to Fado was really fun and the food was good.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Privately Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

Our guide as excellent however the main was rainy and at times down pouring rain forced us to be indoors.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone was on time and flexible.

Transport

Jeep Safari through a Cork Forest & Visit to an Olive Oil Estate

Portugal

The Cork Fork and Olive oil estate was amazing .

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Foodie Experience in Porto

Porto

This was a really good experience. We were able to try a variety of foods.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

This was such a good day. We learned so much about Lisbon .

Quality of Experience

Seeing so much of the city in a short time period.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

As I have said before , the quality, knowledge and flexibility of our guide made the difference.

Transport

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Portugal

This was our longest and for me my most exhilarating day.

Quality of Experience

Our guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was knowledgeable , flexible, and fun to be around

Transport

Our trip to Portugal to celebrate 15th wedding anniversary was well planned with in-depth conversation with Joao from Across Portugal. With ongoing conversation we were able to settle on points of interest and hotel arrangements efficiently and we really appreciated timely responses from Joao, which made us feel more comfortable in dealing with a travel agency we were not familiar with.

Even before our arrival, Joao texted and guided us, laid out detailed information on what to expect at the airport upon arrival. Upon arrival we were greeted with a Welcome Package of bottles of Porto and cookies and champagne! Each day he checked on us and reminded us of our upcoming schedule for the next day. Our drivers were on time and drove us in clean cars and Nelson, the driver we had the most, even got us a bouquet of flowers and a box of delicious chocolates on our anniversary date! Every hotel we stayed at also welcomed us with a celebratory bottle of champagne and fruit to help celebrate our wedding anniversary. What a way to make you feel special!

Our walking tour guides were also excellent too! Thank you to Margarida and Andre (Porto guide) were fantastic, engaging and very informative.

Thank you to Joao and his team at Across Portugal! We have travelled extensively around the world but Across Portugal's personal touch and services left us with wonderful memories of Portugal and unforgettable experiences throughout our journey across Portugal! Muito Obrigada!

Hotel Reviews

Heritage Avenida Liberdade

Lisboa

Great location, clean and quiet. Breakfast could have more variety; otherwise, service was fantastic!

Authenticity & Character

Clean boutique hotel

Location

A short distance to the major tourist sites and restaurants.

Staff

Very responsive to our requests and questions. Very helpful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nice firm bed. No odours. Very clean!

NH Collection Porto Batalha

Porto

Amazing location, clean but the room could have been slightly bigger.

Authenticity & Character

Nice boutique hotel but it uses strong fragrance in common areas.

Location

Walkabout distance to all areas. Fantastic location.

Staff

Staff working the breakfast was very efficient and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and well kept hotel

Cascade Wellness

Lagos

It's location was amazing! Close vicinity to walks around the cliff side...very quiet. If you wanted to go into town then you had to take an Uber but otherwise, excellent location for hiking and long walks.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grande Real Villa Italia

Cascais

Beautifully decorated hotel with large rooms. Needs slight updates but otherwise, excellent location and quiet.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very responsive to requests. Thank you.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was clean and tidy. The bed was so big :)

Activity Reviews

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

The villa was beautiful and very interesting on the exterior, especially when the fog rolled in and covered the whole villa. The village around the villa was also very quaint and interesting but what we enjoyed the most was the services provided by our private driver, Nelson. We had the opportunity to ask Nelson questions about Portugal and what it is to be a Portuguese and he also provided a lot of interesting information about Sintra. Thank you Nelson!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Our guide, Andre, was very proud of Porto. As we walked through this beautiful town he explained the history and its different areas.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Indulge in Elegance on a Guided Winery Tour Infused with Tastings and a Delicious Lunch

Portugal

Excellent private tour and delicious lunch at the restaurant. The food was delicious and the service was spectacular! What a beautiful winery!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Farewell

Lisbon Int. Airport (LIS)

We were picked up and dropped off at the airport without any delay or issues. Much appreciated ample space in the car.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Always interesting to try sip and discover tours of a well known winery. Wine tasting afterwards with cheese board made the experience even more memorable!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service from Porto

Portugal

Driving through Douro valley to look at it's unique scenery was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Panoramic Boat to the Ponta da Piedade Grottoes

Portugal

It was a private boat tour so we had ample space to relax and enjoy the ride. Also we felt safe and well protected.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Portugal was a special vacation for us. Since we don't like planned tours or large tour groups, it was important to be able to design an agenda that appealed to things we liked to do. Typically I do all of the planning, but after coming across kimkim, we thought that a local person who is familiar with the places we wanted to go would be even better. Helena did a great job of putting together a plan for us. She was open to making changes as we went along, and gave good suggestions. Her choice of hotels was fabulous! They were all of high quality, provided good service, and gave us a luxury environment. Having Helena take care of our train tickets and our rental car made it so easy for us.

Despite one "blip" with a pick-up from the train to the hotel, our transports were excellent. It was tricky to find our driver at the airport, but once we did, we were pleased. The issue we had was difficulty getting in touch with the company after our driver had left us at the station due to our train arriving late. The phone number we were given had been changed, and the automated message letting us know the new number was so fast that it took us listening to it three times before we could catch all of the numbers. When we called the new number, we were told that someone would be coming for us in 15 minutes and to wait inside of the station. We split up so as to not miss the driver, but nobody came. After yet another call, we were told that a black car would be there shortly; however, someone in a light colored vehicle showed up and then didn't know where we were going nor where the hotel was located. After speeding down narrow streets, we were finally let off at the top of a steep cobblestone street where we had to drag our suitcases down two blocks to our hotel. Later we learned that transportation companies and taxis are permitted to access the pedestrian street in front of our hotel. We were just grateful that none of us fell down the hill or were injured, but that was completely ridiculous! After being told on the phone by a kimkim representative, Carin that the company is one that is often used and the disbelief that the phone number had changed, I sincerely hope that kimkim reconsiders using the company in the future.

The tours and tour guides that were set up for us were very good. The guide to the Douro Valley, Joao Campos, was friendly, interesting and accommodating. We really enjoyed the boat ride, visits to a winery, and lunch at a quinto was a highlight for us. Out 3 hour tour in Porto with Sandra Tavares was not exactly what we expected. Sandra was energetic and knowledgeable, however, we walked for 80% of the tour. The classic car picked us up near the end of the tour which lasted almost 6 hours. We were able to see a lot of Porto, but at the end were left far from our next tour without transportation. The amount of walking was also very difficult for some of us to handle, and did result in soreness the next day. Right after the first tour, we had a walking food tour. Fortunately, when we told the guide that we were exhausted and not up for a lot more walking, she was able to accommodate us by using streets that were less steep. The places we visited were definitely off of the beaten path and the food was eclectic from wine and cheese to beer and dessert. We had a great time with the others on the tour who were from various countries. Driving to Evora, Lagos and back to Lisbon was very easy. We were sad that our balloon ride was canceled due to the weather, but that is out of our control. Evora was very interesting, and the hotel there was outstanding. We didn't stop at Coimbra, but opted to relax at the hotel instead. We enjoyed the tour with Jones. He was also personable and knowledgeable. Our only concern was that his vehicle was small for all of us and not very comfortable. He showed us the cork factory and an old town with a former palace that had wonderful views. In Lagos, our tour to see the sunset at St. Vincent's Cape in Sagres wasn't exactly as written. Pedro was not our guide, Miguel was. His vehicle was a loud jeep-like truck that didn't have seatbelts that worked consistently. He would drop us off and then go off to smoke. He had some crazy stories and really couldn't answer some of our questions. He was a nice guy, but we felt unsafe driving with him. He brought wine to the sunset, but no binoculars or chorizo, as promised. We did enjoy lunch at Morgado Do Quinto that we drove ourselves to. The hostess served plenty of food and wine, and gave everyone a tour of the property. She also told us about the grape vines, almonds and cacao trees. It was very good. In Lisbon, our guide, Jose Antunes, was very good. He knew a lot about the city and walked us to see sights without going into a lot of buildings. Our day was a bit hectic after that because we had to travel by Uber across the city to paint tiles with Ana which was very cool! After leaving there, we met Mariana who gave us a tour at the tile museum in Lisbon. She was excellent. She was well prepared and really knew about tile history. After that, we were back across the city to the Earthquake Museum which was so-so. I think we call were less impressed with that. Following the Earthquake Museum was the Banksy "Museum". We found it interesting to review his work over time, but it was a tiring day. Our final day we toured with Marta to Sintra and Cascais. She was friendly and also very knowledgeable about the area from a resident's perspective. We went to a park to see the palace there which was spectacular, but involved a lot of trail walking. Then we had lunch at a local restaurant where we tasted all types of meat. That was also interesting.

Our trip exceeded our expectations. We loved Portugal: the people, the food, the history and the scenery. The one thing that was a bit concerning was being given all of the options for our trip but not knowing how much each item cost separately. In some ways, it was good because we got to do what we wanted and had the experiences without worrying about the cost. In other ways, it would have been nice to have some choices that may have saved some money.

Raquel was flexible, organized and quite responsive to our changing needs. She selected city tours, food tours in Porto, Evora and Lisbon that steeped us in culture and history.

Portugal: History, Wine, and Sun-Soaked Coasts
Portugal offered a fantastic mix of historical exploration, delicious food, and stunning scenery. Here's a breakdown of my trip:

Porto: A guided tour with Tania provided a solid introduction to Porto's rich history and architectural beauty. We explored the Ribeira district and learned about the city's connection to Port wine.

Douro Valley: Nelson, our knowledgeable guide, led us through the stunning Douro Valley. We visited a family-owned winery for a personalized experience, learning about traditional Port production and enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal paired with their wines.

Matosinhos: This coastal town lived up to the hype. We indulged in some of the freshest seafood I've ever had – a must for any seafood lover.

Via Comburia & Évora: A day trip took us to these contrasting destinations. Via Comburia offered a glimpse into cork production, a significant aspect of Portugal's economy. Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, impressed with its Roman Temple and the haunting Capela dos Ossos.

Algarve & Benagil Caves: A trip to the southern Algarve region wasn't complete without a visit to the incredible Benagil Caves. The boat tour provided stunning views of these natural wonders. The region's abundance of fresh fruit, especially oranges, was a delightful treat.

Évora & Paulo's Pastéis: A day trip with Paulo included exploring Évora's castles and learning about their historical significance. The highlight was visiting his family's bakery in the old town for some truly phenomenal pastries – a perfect way to end the day.

Lisbon: We finished the trip in Lisbon, allowing time to explore the city at our own pace.

Overall: Portugal exceeded expectations. The combination of informative tours, delicious food and wine experiences, and breathtaking scenery made it a memorable trip. The hospitality of the locals, especially Tania, Nelson, and Paulo, added a personal touch that truly enhanced the experience.

Hotel Reviews

Cascade Wellness

Lagos

Top-notch breakfast buffet

Authenticity & Character

Location

Need to have a car, which we did

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lovely view and very spacious

Flores Boutique Hotel

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Évora Olive Hotel

Evora

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bed was very hard

Portugal Boutique Hotel

Lisbon

Not easy to get to by car but a lovely hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was the largest hotel room that I have ever had in Europe, very nice and comfortable

Activity Reviews

Lisbon Tuk Tuk Food Tour

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market

Porto

This was a fun intro to the food and wine of Porto

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Privately Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

Tania did a great job showing us the highlights of the city. But it was also done in a logical manner such that weren't constantly going up and down hill the whole time. She dropped us off near the river and suggested a place for lunch and called ahead for us to get us a table. She was very friendly and knowledgeable and gave us some unique insights into different aspects of the city

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Because of the weather Nelson offered to take us to a Port winery vs doing the open River Cruise and we were glad we did. It was a lovely location and the port was excellent. The private tour of the family winery we went to was wonderful, really got to see and learned about how they produced their wines. Topped off with a private traditional lunch they made just for us. A lovely day

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nelson was great, really enjoyed talking with him

Transport

Nice relaxing ride

Bohemian Lisbon Private Food Walk

Lisbon

Filipa was lovely and we enjoyed some of the food along the tour. However, the final restaurant she left us at for our meal was terrible. It was loud, and packed and the food was just not good. We ended up leaving because we didn't want to insult the owners by not eating what they were bringing out

Quality of Experience

Food

Final restaurant was just not a good experience for us

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Évora Cork and Castle Tour

Évora

Interesting. I did not know that there is so much to know about cork or how many places it is used

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Porto

There were some interesting aspects to this trip, it was a bit more strenuous than we expected. I honestly enjoyed walking around in the Palacio Nacional da Pena (Pena Palace) in Evora far more. Rafael was a lovely guide and a very nice person. He showed us around the villages that still exist within the park which was interesting

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Very rough ride along the fire roads inside the park

Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves

Portugal

Amazing view of the coastline and caves. Cool to go inside and see first hand. Well worth it

Quality of Experience

Very cool

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fun staff & captain

Transport

Boat is a little uncomfortable after a while

Guided Visit of Historic Coimbra

Portugal

We were slightly late due to our navigation system messing up. Nuno was very patient with us. He was extremely knowledgeable about the university and surrounding area. Interesting tour

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience

Portugal

We weren't quite sure what to expect with this tour. It had been cloudy all day so we were afraid that we would not see the sunset, but in the end it cleared up and we were able to see it. Our guide was fun and showed us some out-of-the-way places you would never know to see. Our dinner was very good, some of the best chicken we had the entire trip

Quality of Experience

Sipping sparkling wine and watching the sunset was lovely

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Funny and gregarious

Transport

Old truck, a bit uncomfortable and difficult to see out of if you are in the back

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Spain

Pauolo was great, very informative and friendly. We enjoyed spending time with him and meeting his wife at their shop in town. Castles we great as well as the Well of Initiation which I had always wanted to see. Unfortunately the weather was not very cooperative and it rained a fair bit of the time

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very friendly and fun to talk to

Transport

Loved the Tesla, roomy and comfortable

Raquel did an amazing job booking our trip! We were impressed with the quality and efficiency of the hotels and outings booked. All went smoothly and we were delighted with all of our guides. It was a perfect trip!

Raquel and the entire KimKim team made our trip to Portugal perfectly unique to us and so seamless as we traveled across the entire country! Everything and more that we needed for our trip was provided and was extremely easy to use and follow. We have never used a travel planning service before, but we will for sure be recommending and using KimKim again to plan future trips!

Activity Reviews

Lisbon Petiscos & Wine Tour

Lisbon

This was an amazing tour! We ate at small, local restaurants we never would have found on our own. Everything we tired was absolutely amazing and was some of our favorite food on out trip!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Porto

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Super friendly guide!

Transport

Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour & Tasting at Taylor’s Port Cellar

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

No single word can adequately describe our recent Portugal trip unless that word is "Perfect"! Raquel planned informative, historic, scenic, and entertaining tours using outstanding guides. She attended to every detail so that we could relax and enjoy our vacation. The Kim Kim team gets my vote!

PORTO
Hotel Pur Oporto.
I rate this hotel 3 stars.
•When we walked into the hotel and to the reception, the staff did not smile or say hello. I had to smile & say hello first.
•The room looked fabulous when we first walked in.
•Thank you for the red rose & the champagne.
•The veranda was great.
•The room needs more hooks.
•The bathroom was awkward and it was dangerous stepping out of the bathtub because the bidet was in the way.
•The cold breakfast was excellent, the hot breakfast looked & tasted like it had been there for a long time, it was not pleasant to eat.
•Staff warmed up but would only say hello and smile if I said hello first.
•Position of the hotel was excellent for us because we like to walk everywhere.
Local Guides & Tours
•Porto Food Tour- can't remember the guides name, just that he was a magician.
This tour was lots of fun & excellent. 5 stars.
•Miguel - Day on the Doura. Excellent guide & excellent tour. 5 stars.
EVORA
Hotel: Albergaria Do Calvārio - 3 stars.
•Our room was very big, it was downstairs, the bathroom was okay but had lots of ants in it. Bed was comfortable.
•Breakfast: Was very simple and the 'freshly' cooked breakfast tasted like it had been sitting in the pan for a long time.
•Staff: All staff were excellent
Tours
Convento de Christi
Excellent - 5 stars
Tour of Evora
•Guide: Telma - walking tour of the old town was excellent, Telma was so good, funny and lovely to be will. 5 stars.
ALGARVE
•Lunch at Morgado do Quintāo
The lunch was delicious.
The short tour of the vines was excellent due to our Guide Candy. She was passionate about the area and her knowledge was excellent. Her voice is soft and gentle. She is the reason we are giving this tour 5 stars.
The 4,000 year old olive tree is amazing.
LAGOS
Hotel: Lagos Avenida
•As soon as you walk in the doors you are greeted by a smile and amazing decor. This hotel is 5 stars plus!!!
•All the areas of the hotel are immaculate.
The staff are really friendly and they smile and chat to you.
•Local Guides and Tours
Kayaking trip to Benagil Caves
Guide: Zac
•This tour was excellent - tho you do need to fit and be able to kayak as the ocean was very bumpy with natural waves but also waves from all the other tourist boats.
•The caves are magnificent.
5 stars for the tour and for Zac, he was excellent.
Bike Tour to Ria Formosa
Guide: Goncalo
•Excellent day riding the boardwalks through the wetlands and then out to the beach. Loved every second of this ride. Coffee and pastel de natas on the beach was wonderful.
5 stars for our wonderful guide Concalo and the bike ride.
LISBON
Hotel: PortoBay Liberdade
•Walked in to the hotel and received a wonderful welcome of smiles and hellos.
• Staff were friendly and said hello.
• The in house restaurant is excellent, we had an amazing dinner on our first night!
• Restaurant staff were excellent, special mention to Ciro, Cleo & Beatrice.
•The stand out staff member was Sophie Mello- great personality, beautiful smile, great sense of humour, we could not fault her!!!
Local Tours & Guides
• Tuk Tuk of Old City
•Guide: Arthur
• A great tour of the old town. Arthur eas great, good sense of humour and knowledgeable.
5 stars for the tour & Arthur.
FADO
•The good was average and the staff not that pleasant..but the Fado singers and accompanying guitar players were amazing.
•Very emotional and so amazing to listen to, the projection of their voices was truly magnificent.
5 stars for the performance
3 stars for the dinner.
•Sintra Heritage Hike
•Guida: Susana
•An amazing day in the mountains. Loved the Moorish Castle, and the surrounding gardens, so beautifully designed.
•The Penna Palace was incredible with it's architecture and bright colours of red & yellow.
•The tour to go into the palace was not that good, due to too many people. It was interesting but took too long because of the amount of people.
•We ended the day with a great cup of coffee in the Sintra Village.
10 stars for the tour
10 stars for Susana
•Day Tour to Setubal & Arrābida
•Tour Guide: Raul
•The XV11 Century Fortress is really boring. The view is nice. The only thing that made this worthwhile was the church.
• We did not go Cabo Espichel to see the giant waves crash against the rocks. This was the main reason we booked this tour. Very disappointed.
• The visit to the vineyard, saved the day.
Phillipa was excellent, Her knowledge about the vineyards, the area and the wines was excellent, she also had a great personality and was funny.
•The wines were delicious and so easy the tasting plate.
•The lunch we had with our guide was excellent, Raul warmed up and was excellent company.
•I am only giving this tour 2 stars because of the boring Fortress and not going into the natural park of Arrābida
• The wine tasting tour with Phillipa - 5 stars .
Hi Rita,
I know this is really long but I hope you read this and take note.
We have thoroughly enjoyed working with you and your company.
Kind regards
Anna & Bob Tait

Hotel Reviews

Pur Oporto Boutique Hotel by Actahotels

Porto

I rated this hotel 3 stars. •When we walked into the hotel and to the reception, the staff did not smile or say hello. I had to smile & say hello first. •The room looked fabulous when we first walked in. •Thank you for the red rose & the champagne. •The veranda was great. •The room needs more hooks. •The bathroom was awkward and it was dangerous stepping out of the bathtub because the bidet was in the way. •The cold breakfast was excellent, the hot breakfast looked & tasted like it had been there for a long time, it was not pleasant to eat. •Staff warmed up but would only say hello and smile if I said hello first. •Position of the hotel was excellent for us because we like to walk everywhere

Authenticity & Character

The hotel has a great ambience when you first walk in. Funky furniture and good styling. Very neat and tidy.

Location

Good walking distance from to most areas

Staff

They need to learn how to smile and say hello to their guests.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was excellent when you first walk in, but needed more hooks. Bathroom was too crowded with the bidet too close to the shower in the bath. Slippery and dangerous when stepping down to the floor.

Hotel Albergaria do Calvário

Évora

This was a perfectly placed hotel at the beginning of the old village. The hotel also had parking which is a huge bonus as there is almost no parking in the old village. The staff are excellent and are happy to speak with you. The decor is wonderful, a warm and inviting feel in the lounge, bar area and the outside courtyard. Breakfast is very mediocre, unfortunately the cooked breakfast didn't seem to be freshly cooked. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed staying here.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful decor.

Location

Close to the old town

Staff

Always said hello and smiled.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lagos Avenida Hotel

Lagos

This hotel is fabulous. As soon as you walk in you are greeted with a lovely smile from the girls on reception. The hotel is beautifully designed & styled in every way. Excellent pieces of wooden art are a real feature in the hotel. Our room was fabulous. We had a balcony overlooking looking the marina. The room service staff were lovely too. Breakfast was incredible!!!!! Wait staff were very friendly and professional. The restaurant is a Michelin Star Restaurant!!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Liberdade

Lisbon

Excellent welcome as soon as you walk in the door from reception and floor staff. Great location and if you enjoy walking is not too far to the beginning of the old town. Restaurant for breakfast was excellent. Excellent service from Sophia, she is very professional, and has a great sense of humour, we really enjoyed her at breakfast time! Restaurant for dinner is exceptional!!! Excellent service from Ciro, Cleo & Beatrice. Rooms are clean & tidy but need to be refurbished. The house keepers were very friendly and well and made up the rooms beautifully. We had an excellent stay at this hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Sophia was the stand out of all the staff!!!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Foodie Experience in Porto

Porto

This was a great and fun night out. I can't remember our guides name, but he is a magician as well as being an excellent guide. We went to about 4 different and excellent venues, trying the local beers, wines and tasting plates. A must do when in Porto!

Quality of Experience

Our guide!

Food

Everything

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nothing, it was a walking tour.

This was the first time we have traveled to Portugal and Spain and we wanted to have a very happy experience. We researched the Internet and various other travel documents and we found the tour company KimKim and how they focus on private tours that are tailor-made, and they use expertise and knowledge of people who actually live and work within the respective Countries. This was most important to us. A simple email initiated the process and we were delighted to make contact with Pedro our Portugal contact. Wow, how fun to have someone who listens, provides immediate responses and recommendations, and develops a plan that can be shared and discussed with travel companions. There were four people in our group and we all felt ownership in the travel plan that was developed. We booked a 21 day trip to Portugal that included a 3 day adventure to Seville, Spain.

Pedro and his working associates took the stress out of travel and provided us with opportunities to stay in Hotels that were centrally located, to have historical walking tours, to witness a Fado and Flamenco Dinner and Show, to have private wine tastings, to have Private Drivers that enabled us to visit wonderful locations throughout Portugal, to be on excursions of the Douro river and Lagos Grottos, and to have Portuguese foods at very nice restaurants. The weather was perfect and this really enhanced our trip of a lifetime!

Pedro always remained in constant communication with us using the electronic application called ‘WhatsApp’. This enabled us to always know the current plan; everything (and I do mean everything) was meticulously identified and always implemented to perfection. Our trip was a ‘5+ Star Day’ every day with many surprises along the way. Pedro made us feel welcome surprising us with a box of treats with a bottle of Port Wine at the hotel. Kind words were always expressed with immediate feedback which made every day special, and of course the use of knowledgeable people that really wanted to make our trip the best ever. Pedro and his associates did this to perfection!

Our Hotel accommodations were excellent. We stayed in Lisbon, Porto, Evora, Seville, and Lagos. Each stay included a very nice room, excellent breakfast, onsite bar and restaurant, and very professional staff.

Thank you goes to the many people we met along the way, who we now consider our Portugal Friends; private drivers, hotel staff, walking tour guides, Belem Tuk-Tuk driver, boat captains, and of course the wine tasting experts. A noteworthy ‘Job Well Done’ goes to Private Drivers Pepe and Helder; both really went out of their way to create lifetime memories. Also, a very special ‘Thank You and Job Well Done’ goes to Pedro, Joao, and their associated staff; YOU ARE THE BEST.

Your friends,
Greg & Nancy Hanson

Hotel Reviews

Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel

Lisboa

Perfect location with terrific hotel staff and accommodations.

Authenticity & Character

The best with character and charm

Location

Perfect location within easy walking distance major attractions

Staff

Very polite and most helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable

PortoBay Hotel Teatro

Porto

Perfect location with terrific hotel staff and accommodations.

Authenticity & Character

Very nice

Location

Great location within walking distance to all key parts of the City

Staff

Polite, helpful, and knowledgeable

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean room and very comfortable

Évora Olive Hotel

Evora

The best of Evora. Very nice and within walking distance of all key locations.

Authenticity & Character

The best of Evora

Location

Within walking distance of all key locations and restaurants

Staff

Polite and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel is clean and comfortable. Great breakfast

H10 Casa de la Plata

Sevilla

Great location and within walking distance of key things to see and do

Authenticity & Character

Very nice with character

Location

Terrific location within walking distance of key things to see and do

Staff

Polite and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable

Lagos Avenida Hotel

Lagos

Great location within walking distance of all key things to see and do

Authenticity & Character

Roof top bar was a great place to hangout and socialize with friends

Location

Within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and excursions

Staff

Polite and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable

Tivoli Oriente Hotel

Lisbon

Great restaurant and close to the Lisbon Airport

Authenticity & Character

Very modern and terrific top floor bar

Location

Close to the Lisbon Airport

Staff

Polite and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable

Activity Reviews

Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service from Porto

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

Simple amazing experience and dinner. A must do.

Quality of Experience

Amazing 5 Star experience

Food

Very good food and Wine.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Easy Taxi ride from Hotel

Transport

Easy Taxi ride from Hotel

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

Portugal

Beautiful place with fast shuttle service from parking area

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Scenic Voyage along the Douro River aboard an Exclusive Boat

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Step Back in Time with a Private Guided Tour of Évora and the Bones Chapel!

Évora

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner with Flamenco Show in Seville

Seville

Amazing. Great food with a terrific Flamenco Show

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Indulge in Elegance on a Guided Winery Tour Infused with Tastings and a Delicious Lunch

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Panoramic Boat to the Ponta da Piedade Grottoes

Portugal

Exceptional experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

To Eat Suggestion: Tábua & Barro do Naldo

Évora

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was an absolutely fantastic experience, from top to bottom with KimKim. Patricia kept in touch ahead of our trip to make sure that the itinerary met our needs and to ensure we had all the connections noted. Everything was seamless and that attention to detail and staying in touch with us continued throughout the trip. We were a group of eight friends each couple arriving at different times and our transfers from the airport all went beautifully. We had a half day tour of Lisbon shortly after we arrived with Claudia. Claudia came with the highest certification and credentials, and she was clearly a skilled guide, but it was also her warmth and desire to provide us with a terrific experience that really stood out. She packed into the afternoon a wonderful tour that oriented us to the city and gave us a taste of what was to come. Claudia again accompanied us on a day trip to Sintra providing us with a fantastic experience. Our driver Vasco likewise was an utter delight making the trip easy and efficient. Our food tour the following day in Lisbon was led by Ricardo who took us off the beaten track and introduced us to typical Portuguese food and some new foods brought to Portugal from the cultures that make it a city of diversity. The following day it was off to Porto and again Claudia and Vasco made the drive and day special. We stopped in Obidos along the way, one of my favorite small villages with white washed buildings, cute shops and a medieval castle. Once in Porto, our guide Lucia oriented us on the layout of the city and gave us great restaurant suggestions. The walking tour included a stop at the famous bookstore that inspired JK Rowling and the Jewish quarter with fascinating history. Lucia also accompanied us the next day to the Douro Valley where we had an experience of a lifetime visiting two wineries, one being the winery of our guide Lucia’s husband. Lucia’s knowledge of the winery added to the depth of our experience and gave us unique access to the vineyard. We then proceeded to the second winery and dined at the home of the wine owner tasting some amazing wines, eating delicious and authentic Portuguese dishes and having wonderful conversation. A unique and intimate experience. From there we headed to the Algarve and again the transfer to and from the airport and to our hotel were all seamless. The next day our sailboat tour along the Algarve coast provided stunning views and scenery. Then it was back to Lisbon stopping in Lagos along the way where Carla was our guide. Carla is not only a local who gave us a wonderful tour of her city, but an accomplished guide who has worked frequently with Rick Steves. Vasco was again our driver getting us back to Lisbon safely and with a warm smile. Kim Kim put together an amazing trip with wonderful guides and a fabulous itinerary. They were recommended to us by friends and I absolutely give them our highest recommendation as well. Top to bottom, fantastic. Thank you for a fabulous experience.

Hotel Review

Cascade Wellness

Lagos

Relaxing spot with wonderful walking paths along the coast for stunning views. Spa experience was a nice way to end our trip. Dining options on site limited and had a long wait, but good restaurants available in town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Appliances in the apartment were not working, but staff helpful.

Activity Reviews

Douro Valley Tour

Portugal

Our guide Lucia provided us with an intimate and memorable experience. Highly recommend her and this tour. Stunning views and absolutely fantastic wines.

Private Tour of Sintra Castles & the Lisbon Coast

Lisbon

Fascinating history and stunning scenery. Claudia our guide did a great job navigating lines and timing so we did not wait, and provided a wonderful experience.

Quality of Experience

Our guide and scenic area

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Claudia and Vasco were amazing

Transport

Timing and efficiency

Pedro and his team did a remarkable job in the design and execution of our approximate 3 week trip to Portugal which included a 3 day stay in Seville Spain. In the beginning stages of planning last autumn Pedro listened to us and set up an itinerary that included walking guides, knowledgable drivers, and free days that allowed us to explore on or own. I believe that the outline of our travels will be a template for future customers. Having personal drivers to get us from city to city was also a key attribute that allowed us to remain worry free. No rental cars or public transportation other than a cab now and then worked very very well. The drivers were always on time and polite. The hotels were also top notch. Almost all of the scheduled tours were set aside for the 4 of us exclusively. We were able to interact with our drivers and guides on a personal level. Speaking of a personal level, it was my 75th birthday on May 4th and Pedro arranged a boat trip for the four of us to the grottos of Lagos that included champagne. When we returned to the hotel a bottle of wine and a personal note from Pedro were the proverbial icing on the cake. Pedro communicated with us via WhatsApp on a daily basis to make sure we knew the next day's itinerary and to simply check in. We would recommend KimKim and Pedro to anyone traveling to Portugal. It just doesn't get any better.

Steve and Karen Clemens

Our visit to Portugal was wonderful. Rita arranged good hotels and tours for our group and was responsive to group members that had travel challenges that included cancelled flights, late arrivals and missing luggage.
I encourage anyone that is traveling to be proactive on your own behalf and not expect a travel agent to make all the decisions regarding where you'll go and when. The more input you provide about your interests and preferences the better your trip will be. Rita arranged several tours for us. Sintra is a good side trip that included Cascais, a thriving little beach town (also a short train ride away) . We had a private 3 hour walking tour of the city that really added to our
background info and enjoyment of the city. The history of the small country of Portugal is amazing. We went to
St Jorge's castle on our own, Time Out Food Market was a big food hall; skip it. Pick a nice sidewalk cafe instead.

We tweeked little things along the way, such as the timing for our stay at Nazare, Rita was great at responding and facilitating that. Don't miss Porto & Gaia; our group loved the smaller city and Duoro River region.

The customs process for international travelers arriving in Lisbon is messy if several planes arrive at the same time.
Global Entry doesn't do a thing for you in Europe; it's only for the U.S. entry. Unless you have a new electronic chip passport, be prepared for long lines. I'm getting one this year even though my passport is good for two more years. The airport pick up & transport system is also convoluted with a long walk to the pick up area.
Once we were in the hotel it was beautiful. I'd return to the scenic, not-too-large country and its welcoming people.

Hotel Reviews

H10 Duque de Loule

Lisboa

Lovely boutique hotel, completely renovated. Included breakfast was expansive. Welcoming staff and quiet area. It's an easy walk to the center of the city down a nice leafy boulevard .

Authenticity & Character

Completely remodeled solid old building. There's a lot of urban renewal going on all over te city

Location

I'm glad we weren't in the busy tourist city center but close enough to walk or Uber is super-cheap & fast

Staff

thoughful & responsive

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless & hygenic

Hotel Praia

Nazaré

Good location near the beach. Modern hotel. Rooms have views. Breakfast included. The roof top pool should stay open later

Activity Reviews

Fado Dinner Experience

Lisbon

Food was good, we enjoyed the entertainment. The location was a well established venue. The format was two dining rooms with several Fado singers and musicians that moved from room to room every twenty minutes. This was good because you had a break for going to the restroom and servers to refresh food and drink. When the fado groups were performing they commanded the room's attention.

Quality of Experience

The setting and experience was unique to Lisbon

Food

It was all very good, made well and good portions; I didn't click 5 stars simply because "amazing" is a whole different level.

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Our walking tour was very interesting. Our guide Rita provided a lot of background and navigated us around the center of Lisbon and the hilly streets. We sampled some local specialties such as Castro's custard tarts and ginjen, a local cherry liquor ( be sure to order it with the cherries in your shot) while we walked. When te tour was completed she gave us a dinner suggestion for a local restaurant down a side street that had the best roasted spit chicken you could ask for.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The tour guide was well educated and informed

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Portugal

We toured Sintra on a Monday. It was a busy place! Perhaps it's just the way it is in Portugal right now because it's a great tourist destination but we were also told tat Mondays can be busy because some museums places in Lisbon are closed on Mondays. We had a short and interesting walking tour around Sintra then did more driving around the area. I would have appreciated going into the large palace that dominated the central square in Sintra or any other large building in the town but we moved on. We did go to an amazing place outside Sintra called Montserrate with a colorful history and chain of ownership, had a simple meaty Barbeque lunch at a Refugio Biciclet on top of a mountain overlooking the area and circled back toward Lisbon along the coastline stopping at the Roca and Cascais along the way. Manu, our guide, was well infirmed about the places we visited and history of his country. He made things interesting.

Quality of Experience

I think our guide may have added te Roca stop to the drive back because Sintra itself was crowded. He wanted to ensure our satisfaction with the experience. We truly appreciated that.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Manu really wanted us to enjoy the tour and get a lot out of it.

Transport

Nice van with room for 8 and windows that opened