Kimkim Trip Reviews for Spain

Well over a year of planning with Dalia enabled us to experience a once-in-a-lifetime, fabulous, unforgettable family adventure to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Traveling with a group of 14, including children ranging in age from 2 to 14, who have a variety of past travel experiences (and opinions) was challenging, but met more than satisfactorily in every way. Details were anticipated and planned, and Dalia was always available and responsive to handle any changes or special requests. Our personalized itinerary to fully explore Andalucia included windmills, great food (a cooking class which was a highlight for all), castles and palaces, fishing (a must for this family and another highlight), interesting museums (music and art!), a National Park, wading in the Mediterranean, and a fun New Year's Eve. The local guides were knowledgeable, interesting, and engaged well with the kids. Grandma and Grandpa were very pleased, and we are certain all our children and grandchildren were not disappointed after all the anticipation!

Activity Reviews

Market tour & Sevilla group cooking class

Seville

This was a highlight for our multigenerational group.

Fishing boat trip

Málaga

Oscar was a great Captain and this excursion was a highlight for our multigeneration group.

The guides were great, the cities visited were beautiful and fun. The weather was a little chilly but not so much as to hinder my family's good time.

Anita planned us an excellent trip in Spain. She saved us hours of planning time and eased the stress of travel days with thoughtful instructions. We particularly liked the H10 hotel in Seville, and had fabulous tour guides in all of the cities we visited. Barcelona was our favorite, and Anna, our guide to Sagrada Familia was a particular treat.

Bea was amazing. She came up with several itineraries- adding/subtracting excursions based on my feedback. She had too pivot on one accommodation because it wasn’t available at time of booking and gave clear information. The services were spot on! All transfers very smooth and we can’t say enough about our driver Alberto who transferred us to Granada and was also our driver to Ronda and El Torcal park. Our excursion to El Torcal was prohibitive due to dense fog- that was a disappointment but Alberto was such a good driver he still brought us to the top and 2 of our family braved the weather for a short hike. Our guide at the Ahlhambra was also Alberto and he was so knowledgeable and engaging. All our drivers were friendly, prompt and communicated status and directions well. Our street tapas tour in Madrid was a highlight- our guide and the group became fast friends quickly. The entire Espíritu team was tremendous including a beautiful table of snacks at our last destination. That was a great final touch and a credit to their personal commitment. We will use KimKim again and refer anyone to Bea- she really created the most memorable trip.

Hotel Reviews

Melia Barajas

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Intelier Casa de Indias Sevilla

Seville

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Palacio de Santa Inés

Granada

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

H10 Villa de la Reina Boutique Hotel

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Tapas Culinary Experience

Madrid

Highlight of Madrid- our guide was engaging and fun - the choice varied and all the people in the restaurants were friendly

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Visit of Alhambra & Generalife Gardens

Granada

We had to change the date and time of the tour and the support person at KimKim was right on it and made it happen. Our guide Alberto was thorough

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ronda Wine Experience

Spain

Because it was winter there was no one at the winery which made it special. Our guide was so knowledgeable and gave a good history of the area. Wines were superb!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Alberto is the best!

Flamenco Show in a Sacromonte Cave

Granada

Quality of Experience

Thank you, Helena (and KimKim), for building an amazing family trip to Andalucia and Morocco! Here are some of the highlights:

Spain
1. The Alhambra! Susanna was a very knowledgeable guide. Later that day, Nacho gave a great walking tour of the Albaycin neighborhood, and we had an excellent meal at Carmen Mirador de Aixa - great food and views of the Alhambra :)
2. Hiking in Las Alpujarras! Jaime was one of our favorite guides. The scenery was beautiful, and we loved the small mountain towns (Capileira, Bubion, Pampaneira).
3. Malaga. Fany was our favorite guide of the trip - we learned a lot and she helped our daughter with her Spanish, too! Plus, Malaga is a beautiful city. We especially liked the fortress, cathedral, and Roman theater.

Morocco
4. Yousef was a wonderful guide and host throughout our time in Morocco. He arranged every detail for us and we were worry-free throughout our stay.
5. Hamid taught us so much when he guided us through the medina on our first day in Marrakech.
6. We loved getting outside the city. Driving through the Atlas Mountains kept us on the edge of our seats! And riding camels in Agafay was a highlight for all of us. The sunrise hot air balloon ride was a first for all of us - cold, but really fun.
7. Essaouira was our favorite town in Morocco. It's a beautiful, clean, beach town - the fortress and old city were so fun to stroll. Rashida was a wonderful guide - she taught us so much, and adjusted her pace to match what we wanted.
8. Back in Marrakech, we loved our stay at Riad Anya. The entire staff was so welcoming and kind and helpful, in spite of late arrivals and/or early departures, and changing plans. They accommodated us wonderfully throughout. A huge thank you to that staff!

Thanks,
The Lockwood Family

Everything was great, from the hotel stays, hotel locations pickup, and all the small local tours…everything was smooth. Couldn't ask better.

Our only concerns pertain to the two planned day trips, which held significant anticipation, particularly for the girls given the rich historical context.

So, trip to Cardoba/ Carmona from seveille was not what we were expecting, even though we paid extra for a private tour for comfort and convenience. The driver got a very small car; we were all seated cramped for the long drive. No hotel pick up and drop off provided even though thats what our local representative told us thats irs part of private tour.Then, the mosque was closing soon, so we spent only half an hour there, although the expected time was a little more than an hour. In fact, our local guide told the driver to arrive half an hour early so that she could show the mosque property, but he refused, and he did the same for Carmona; he didn't show much interest.when i asked him in the car after my chat with Marine

Segovia and Toledo were total chaos, with 50 people on a large bus. Though it was supposed to be small grp,and on top it's was bilingual group We were just rushing through things; there were no proper restroom or food breaks. The restrooms were overly dirty, and when we declined the food place from tour guide choice because there was only one vegetarian salad option.AND it was more of BAR with overly crowded and lots of cigarettes smoke and alcohol, we wanted a family lunch place not a BAR so we told her that we will look ourselves for other options to eat in town, She became angry and started talking loudly, ugly words, which was very insulting, but she behaved similarly toward others on other occasions..so basically she had a really bad attitude towards tourists even though it's all paid, nothing free
So we will appreciate if you take care of those kind of suppliers in future because we all put lot of trust in you guys and money to make our lifetime memories . Hope you all will understand my point.
Thanks

Happy New Year, Raquel! We had a FABULOUS and MAGICAL time in Spain! We can’t thank you enough for making this trip for our family of nine, run so smoothly and efficiently. Our drivers were top notch, always on time, courteous and very helpful, and the vehicles they transported us in were very comfortable, roomy, and accommodating. Your choices of hotels for us were AMAZING!..very clean, friendly staff, centrally located, and within walking distances to a lot of places we wanted to visit. The guides for all of our tours were very well educated, knowledgeable, and willing to go above and beyond their call of duty to answer any additional questions we might have, recommend eating places, and very patient when we needed to add an additional stop along the way to grab a water and/or a snack. The 15th birthday celebration for our granddaughter was a hit! She loved the cake, the balloons, the food, and the ambience in general. We were very pleased with how quickly someone always responded through the chat when we had questions, or needed existing reservations changed. We look forward to planning our next trip through KimKim, as you truly made our 50th Golden Anniversary a very memorable one!
Gloria and Jose Ramirez
Wimberley, TX

Hotel Review

Eurostars Puerta Real Hotel

Granada

Beautiful hotel with great amenities, super friendly staff, clean and spacious rooms, and a delicious spread for breakfast! Location is superb!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona

This place is beyond belief!…a must see in person to really capture all of its beauty and exquisite detail. Dani, our tour guide, did an excellent job explaining the history of every corner of this amazing place!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The planning process with Coraima was quite seamless. We had a great trip overall with great local guides for the different types of experiences we were interested in. The highlight was our tour of San Sebastian with Martin -- he was a true local who showed us the ins and outs and we had the best time. The foodie tour was also a very unique experience that is perfect for foodies and a more slower and laid back pace.

14 day Andalucia solo travel - Adam and Lea were great with helping me book my trip. Adam especially was helpful in working on last minute changes, etc. Adam spent a lot of time with me working through the changes I had suggested.
One area of improvement that I would suggest is, I felt most of the trip details, etc. came from me including the places I wanted to visit, how I wanted to plan my day yo day, etc. I would have expected suggestions from the travel rep as to what I could do in my free time, on days when I did not have a KimKim tour planned, restaurant suggestions, etc.
I am not sure yet if I will use KimKim platform again because of the fact that I have limited ability to change my trip once booked, and also due to the fact that I am less in control of the options, etc.

Activity Reviews

Private Walking Tour of the Mezquita, Alcázar & Jewish Quarter

Córdoba

Ruben was really awesome! he spent almost 3 hours with me on the tour explaining the history of Cordoba, the Jewish quarter, etc. His tour of the Mezquita was so thorough!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Alhambra & Generalife Gardens Visit with a Historian

Granada

I couldn't provide a 3.5 rating which is what I wanted to give this. Edu was good but not great like the other guides I had. He was a very nice person and gave a good high level overview of the Alhambra and the gardens. He did not go in-depth w.r.t. the details as some of the other guides that I happened to notice on the tour. It was a good tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Could have provided more details about the history, pointed out interesting aspects, etc.

Málaga History Walk

Málaga

Even though it was supposed to be a group tour, I don't think anyone else had signed up so I ended up as the only one. The tour was great! Victor was really thorough and took me around the old town in addition to the Alcazaba, Roman Theater, etc.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Visit to Seville’s Cathedral & Alcázar

Seville

Cristina was awesome! Really thorough explanation of the history and architecture.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Ronda & White Villages Day Trip

Seville

Carlos was a pleasure to travel with. The only part that I was not very thrilled with is I did not get much time in the stops and did not know about some of the sites that I could have visited (for e.g. in Ronda, I had no idea there was a castle, old town, Church, etc. that I could visit). This was a private trip which cost a lot, so I would have loved to spend more time in each of the places I visited. Other than that the trip was nice and pleasant.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nice car

Flamenco Show & Museum Visit

Seville

Really loved this experience. The performers were very professional

Quality of Experience

Our trip was absolutely wonderful! All the hotels were excellent and very helpful with maps and recommendations! In Madrid our first tour guide Alfonso for Prado museum and royal palace was exceptional. The King of Spain was in residence for Christmas so palace was closed to public. They made last minute change to Almudena cathedral which was great last minute alternate! Alfonso was so passionate about the art and history of Madrid. He took us for chocolate and churros where we can see them making the churros in business since 1902. This tour was fantastic and especially with our guide Alfonso. He pointed out and explained so many historical monuments. He was also the best possible guide for Prado museum! His passion was magnifico! Then on to San Sebastián where we had recommendations from hotel Room Mate Gorka for Narru restaurant where the food was wonderful! Thanks to Alba at Kim Kim we also had the best possible Christmas dinner in San Sebastián with music, food and wine! We had 2 food tours of the wine (rioja) country with pinxtos lunch and medieval village of LaGuardia. The wine caves were amazing. Then another day to a wonderful family owned farm with a fantastic meal we won’t forget! Our hostess was wonderful to walk us around her farm and serve us a delicious home made meal with Txakoli wine. Stop in Tolosa was beautiful! Last stop Bilbao and the Guggenheim. Hotel recommended restaurant Serantes. We had the best scallops I have ever had! Thank you Alba for a most wonderful trip with everything and more than we could have dreamed! I would recommend Alba for anyone who wants to see Spain as she was the best and always checking to make sure we were doing well. All hotels, transfers and tours were fantastic! I would not change anything!
I have so many photos and memories for a lifetime!
Thank you Alba!
Maisa and Robert

Hotel Reviews

H10 Villa de la Reina Boutique Hotel

Madrid

Wonderful room with view of Gran Via and very comfortable! Staff was helpful with recommendations for late breakfast. Room was clean and very comfortable for great night sleep. Big plus for the balcony view!!!

Authenticity & Character

Lovely staff and very central location in city

Location

Central location with comfortable room and great balcony view. Quiet and comfortable

Staff

Mara at front desk was especially helpful with recommendations

Cleanliness & Comfort

Great room and very comfortable sleep

Room Mate Gorka Hotel

San Sebastian

Breakfast was wonderful and so were recommendations for shopping and food. Comfortable and quiet sleep

Authenticity & Character

This was great hotel!

Location

Great location

Staff

Good recommendation for food and ahopping

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very comfortable and excellent breakfast included

Catalonia Gran Via Bilbao

Bilbao

Comfortable and clean with great sleep and wonderful breakfast included. Room service was very good also

Authenticity & Character

Staff were helpful and packed us to go box meal for early flight departure!

Location

Very nice location

Staff

Wake up call and to go box meal for early flight departure was much appreciated!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable!

Activity Reviews

Madrid at a Glance, Culture, Royal Palace and El Prado

Madrid

We had the best tour guide! Alfonso was incredible with history and art in Madrid! We were fortunate to have Alfonso as our guide and had the most wonderful tour of Madrid with the Prado museum. He engaged with everyone and his knowledge and passion for Madrid was contagious!

Quality of Experience

Our guide Alfonso was exceptional

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The history and art in Madrid with our guide Alfonso made this tour special.

Transport

We could have walked but taxi was easier for us as we were not familiar with the streets and very busy time in streets at Christmas

Private Tour in la Rioja- Wine&History

Spain

We loved the tours of rioja country. Our guide Iker took us to 2 wineries where we were welcomed and shown around and explained the production and had tastings. The wine caves were incredible and we enjoyed this tour and the people who we met that were so friendly and welcoming. Easy to fall in love with the kind people we met in Spain.

Quality of Experience

Wonderful people! Beautiful country!

Food

Everything was good!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Welcoming, friendly and fun

Transport

Iker was good host and driver

Private Basque Countryside Foodie Day Trip

San Sebastián

This tour was so much fun to meet the people who work and care for the animals and prepare the food. Beautiful countryside! No idea how you would find this without a guide. We had a wonderful meal and lovely experience with kind and generous people!

Quality of Experience

The food was excellent and our hostess was lovely

Food

Wonderful food and wonderful hostess

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great trip

Transport

Tour of Tolosa was very nice. The farm was a hidden gem

My daughter Alayne and I had a wonderful memorable winter trip to Madrid and Barcelona, all thanks to the meticulous planning and care from Beatriz and her amazing team at Espiritu Travel. The Trip Plans App made the experience seamless, with all the information, instructions, guides' names and meeting points and times, tickets for events and train travel, maps, suggestions for restaurants and other interesting sites, events or areas to explore, are all included on the app.

Our guides were professional, timely, personable and truly knowledgeable.

The hotels were beautiful, well-managed, accommodating and so very helpful with directions, taxis or any questions we had about getting around in the city.

Thank you again!
Patti and Alayne S

Hotel Reviews

7 Islas Hotel

Madrid

modern hotel with all amenities, amazing, helpful, attentive staff. Delicious breakfast and dinner service

Authenticity & Character

lots of amenities - great bathrooms stocked with toiletries, plush towels and bathrobes, a tub!

Location

right off Gran Via and in the heart of both Malasaña and Chueca, both very cool neighborhoods. Easy access to Metro station.

Staff

The front desk was so very accommodating with helping get taxis, information about metro cards, directions around town.

Cleanliness & Comfort

everything was so clean and comfortable

Hotel Astoria

Barcelona

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful building - loved watching local people come in to dine in the restaurant

Location

great location, close to Avenue Diagonal and major shopping and metro stations. Loved the little tapas bar, Bar Paris around the corner - sat at tables outside with the locals. So Fun

Staff

Helpful, professional and so very accommodating with questions, directions, taxis, etc...

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Visit of Madrid: History, Culture & Architecture of the Capital of Spain

Madrid

Our guide Geze, was so friendly and knowledgeable - the day was actually quite cold and drizzly, but he kept it moving along and it was quite enjoyable. Had lots of tips for hidden restaurants, bars, etc... we took his advice on a few of them! Funny to see how the guides from different tours all know one another and greet each other

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Geze was very friendly knowledgeable, spoke so many languages, had so many friends greet him along the way, not just fellow tour guides, but neighborhood people, too.

Guided Visit of Museo del Prado with Art Historian

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lina is a great art history guide; my daughter loved talking to her about the finer points of the art work, being an AH minor

Barcelona & Gaudí: An Architecture Walk

Barcelona

Didn't know much about Gaudí prior to this trip, but have come away with a new found appreciation for his genius

Quality of Experience

The Sagrada Familia was such a moving experience, both artistically and spiritually. The sheer genius of the intention and artistry and engineering is awe-inspiring. I couldn't appreciate it until I saw it in person

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Catalina was an excellent guide

Tapas Culinary Experience

Madrid

great way to meet other fellow travelers and have a good time, make some new friends, go out for a drink afterwards. It was so much fun. Our guide was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our Lesbifriends Travel trip to Portugal and Spain this October was nothing short of phenomenal! The planning and execution were flawless (thanks, Beatriz!), making this an unforgettable journey for our group.

The tours were perfectly curated to showcase the beauty and culture of both countries. From exploring the historic streets of Lisbon and tasting traditional pastel de nata, to marveling at the Alhambra in Granada and the vibrant energy of Barcelona, every stop felt like a new discovery.

Our guides were beyond amazing—knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate. They brought the history and culture of each destination to life and made us feel truly connected to the places we visited.

The food was an experience in itself—delicious local cuisine at every turn, with memorable highlights like a traditional Fado dinner in Portugal and tapas hopping in Spain.

Every activity, from the Douro Valley wine tour to a flamenco performance in Seville, was thoughtfully planned and exceeded expectations. The balance of structured tours and free time was perfect, allowing us to explore and relax.

Lesbifriends Travel outdid itself with this trip. It was seamless, enriching, and packed with memories we’ll cherish forever. Can’t wait for the next adventure!

Activity Reviews

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

The "Get to Know Lisbon with a Local" tour was a great way to explore the city’s rich history and hidden gems. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, offering fascinating insights into Lisbon’s culture and landmarks. However, the pace felt a bit slow for our group, and there was a lot of walking, which might not be ideal for everyone. That said, it’s a wonderful experience for history buffs or anyone looking to dive deep into Lisbon’s story. Overall, an informative and enjoyable tour, but best suited for those who appreciate a slower, detailed exploration.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Portugal Scenic Trails: Sintra Coastal Hike

Spain

The Portugal Scenic Trails: Sintra Coastal Hike was an absolute highlight of our trip! Our guide was incredible—thoughtful, attentive, and adaptive to our group, which included both older and younger travelers. They ensured the pace was comfortable for everyone while keeping the adventure exciting. The scenic views along the Sintra coast were breathtaking, and the guide’s insights into the area’s natural beauty and history made it even more special. The picnic was the cherry on top—a delicious and relaxing moment surrounded by stunning landscapes. This hike was the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and connection with nature. Highly recommend for groups looking for an unforgettable outdoor experience!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tapas & Flamenco Experience in Seville

Seville

The Tapas & Flamenco Experience in Seville was just okay. The tapas were just a light snack, but not particularly memorable, and we felt the selection could have been more diverse. The flamenco performance was passionate and authentic, but the venue felt a bit cramped and didn’t quite capture the vibrant energy we were expecting. Overall, it was a decent way to spend an evening, but it didn’t stand out compared to other experiences on our trip.

Quality of Experience

Private Lisbon Culinary Food Experience

Lisbon

The Private Lisbon Culinary Food Experience was absolutely amazing! We savored authentic Portuguese dishes, explored local markets, and learned about Lisbon’s rich food culture from our fantastic guide. The highlight was a hands-on cooking session where we made traditional dishes and enjoyed them together. It was delicious, fun, and truly immersive—a must-do for food lovers in Lisbon!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Visit of Seville

Seville

The Private Guided Visit of Seville was a pleasant experience that gave us a great overview of the city’s rich history and stunning architecture. Our guide was knowledgeable and shared fascinating stories about landmarks like the Alcázar and the Seville Cathedral. The pace was comfortable, and the guide tailored the experience to our interests. While it wasn’t the most exciting tour we’ve done, it was well-organized and provided valuable insights into the city. A solid option for those looking to explore Seville with a local expert!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Local Market Visit & Cooking Class

Barcelona

The Private Local Market Visit & Cooking Class was hands-down the highlight of our trip! This experience was the perfect blend of culture, cuisine, and connection. Exploring the local market with our guide was so much fun—learning about fresh, regional ingredients and selecting the items we’d use later was an adventure in itself. The cooking class was equally incredible! The hands-on experience of preparing traditional dishes under the guidance of a skilled and personable chef was both educational and entertaining. Everyone in our group, from seasoned cooks to beginners, had an amazing time. The best part? Sitting down together to enjoy the delicious meal we created—it felt like a true celebration. This activity brought us closer as a group and gave us memories (and recipes!) that we’ll cherish forever. A must-do for anyone visiting and looking for an authentic, interactive experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The first tour in Seville was with Julio who did a great job talking about the history of the sites. The flamenco show that evening was a little disappointing because it said we were supposed to be there for three hours, but the show was actually just over an hour. Not sure the price we paid was worth the experience.

Cristina's tour was one of the highlights of the trip. Again, the itinerary said it was a two hour tour but it turned out to be over four hours. The amount of knowledge and her stories made me appreciate the history. She also took us around to see the courtyard garden contestant winners.

The day trip to Nerja & Frigilana was special. The guide was fabulous. I enjoyed getting to know him and seeing Spain through his experiences. The following day was a guided trip to Ronda, which was nice to see.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Giralda Center

Sevilla

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Soho Boutique Capuchinos Hotel

Córdoba

The room was odd and the charged us even though they had been paid. The breakfast was in the basement. I wouldn't recommend using the hotel again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room Mate Leo

Granada

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Caterina Victoria

Malaga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Flamenco Show

Seville

The itinerary said this was going to be a three hour show but it was just over an hour. Not worth the money.

Quality of Experience

Mosque- Cathedral of Cordoba

Córdoba

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tour of the Alhambra

Granada

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Free time in Granada

Granada

We didn't have any.

Day Trip to Nerja & Frigiliana

Spain

The guide was incredible. I discussed on the first part of the review.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day trip to Ronda

Málaga

The guide was wonderful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tapas Tour

Spain

I don't drink so I was sure how the tour was going to go for me, but we met some really fun and nice people and had a great time. I haven't laughed that much for awhile.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guided Tour of Seville’s Cathedral, Alcázar & Giralda

Seville

See earlier comment.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sword making was amazing. So neat to meet a 5th generational sword artist.

Self guided tours were a great resource.

Kimkim allowed us to do our own venturing while still having the support of a travel agent and tours.

Hotel Review

Overland Suites Catedral

Seville

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walked everywhere and so charming on cobblestone roads

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Toledo Family Experience & Sword-Making Workshop

Madrid

Such a hands on experience to learn about sword making and its history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our mother/son trip to Barcelona and Girona and the surrounding areas in Catalonia was a terrific experience. Our guides were very knowledgable and thoughtful in the planning of our excursions. We did a variety of things - bike tour, hiking, wine tasting, food tours, and trips to the seaside and castle villages, along with a fantastic day exploring all about Antoni Gaudi where we saw his various projects in Barcelona.
Our hotel room in Barcelona was wonderful, but the hotel itself had an issue with a foul odor in the lobby and in the hallways on our floor. Our hotel room in Girona was excellent, however it lacked a restaurant and room service. Our driver to the train station in Barcelona didn’t show up and we had to call a taxi, but Beatriz did reimburse us and paid for the taxi as well. She kept in touch with us daily and ensured that our tours were going well and we were happy. She worked hard to ensure we had a super trip overall.

Hotel Review

Catalonia Catedral Hotel

Barcelona

Our room was spacious, clean and had a bonus of our own private balcony. Breakfast was included and had a wide variety of delicious items. The location is perfect for sightseeing and convenient to many great tapas places, food markets and historic landmarks. The negative is that there was a horrible smell in the lobby and an even worse one in the hallway on our floor. Thank goodness the smells did not permeate into our room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Barcelona tour with Park Güell, La Pedrera and Casa Batllò

Barcelona

Wonderful day, excellent and knowledgeable guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bohemian Neighbourhoods Bike Tour

Barcelona

Super bike guide around the city. It was a lovely way to see parts of the city we might not otherwise have ventured to.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking La Garrotxa: la Fageda d'en Jorda & Santa Margarida Vulcano

Spain

Although it was a rainy day, we absolutely enjoyed our tour and tour guide. We were able to take a little trek into the woods. The other sites we saw were off the beaten path, just what we asked for. Our guide was exceptional and he even found a gluten free bakery with the best bread I have tasted that was gluten free for sandwiches for me for our picnic - very thoughtful!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Empordà Wine & Catalan Breakfast Experience

Spain

The winery we visited was very nice and the wine tasting experience was more than we expected with 12 wines! It did take too much time, however, so we were late to our second tasting and lunch afterwards.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Costa Brava & Medieval Villages Day Trip

Spain

From start to finish it was a terrific experience. Well thought out time wise and the locations we visited were superb. Excellent guide and driver - very knowledgeable!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Enjoyed a fabulous trip through Andalucia (Southern Spain) organized by Megan. This was an add-on to the original trip we spoke to Megan about but she delivered a wonderful itinerary hitting all the sights we were interested in visiting, or explained why some sights were too difficult to incorporate given the schedule. The guides we had along the way were excellent - knowledgeable, friendly and very welcoming to their city. They felt like friends after our time spent with each of them. Love that it was a customized itinerary just for us - made us feel truly special! Accommodations were great and centrally located. Megan was quite responsive during the planning phase anytime we had a question. I would recommend Megan to my family and friends and anyone looking to travel through this region.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Giralda Center

Sevilla

Great location - not far from train station and close to Plaza de Espana and other sights. Room was very modern, spacious and comfortable. (Room size is comparable to US hotels.) Breakfast buffet was separate. We found out on Day 2 that you can do a la carte breakfast in the bar/restaurant area and it was very affordable. (Not too many cafes walking distance to grab a coffee in the morning.)

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Soho Boutique Capuchinos Hotel

Córdoba

We walked here from the train station - approx 15 mins. (No Ubers available but after we did the trek it wasn’t a bad walk.) We had rooms on the ground level but it was interesting that the window was to the interior core of the building. It wasn’t loud and we didn’t spend too much extra time in the room so it wasn’t an issue. Breakfast was included.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room Mate Leo

Granada

Centrally located in Downtown Granada just a few blocks from the Cathedral. Ubers/taxis can’t drop you off at the door because it’s located inside the business area (pedestrian only) but it’s only a short walk from the main street to the hotel entrance. Rooms were very modern and rooms comfortable. Breakfast is not included but there are coffee shop options a few doors down. Front desk staff was helpful with dining recommendations when we first arrived.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Caterina Victoria

Malaga

This isn’t a hotel but apartment. Bathrooms were a little tight on space but the room was large enough and the living area (dining, sitting area and kitchenette) was plenty big and you could really spread out there. We got dropped off by the Cathedral and since this apartment is located in the pedestrian area, it’s a little bit of a walk through some busy pedestrian streets depending on the time of day. There are bars located at the base of the building so there can be noise depending on how your apartment is situated or what game is playing. Since it’s an apartment, don’t expect daily cleaning or on-site personnel, which was fine with us. But their manager was great in getting in touch a week before our arrival to confirm our reservation and provide instruction on how to find the apartments. There were grocery stores and coffee shops nearby if we needed snacks and drinks. There was also a Nespresso-type coffee maker in the apartment.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The apartment manager was great about getting in contact with us a week before our arrival to confirm our travel details.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of Seville’s Cathedral, Alcázar & Giralda

Seville

Julio was great! Very friendly, informative tour and always happy to answer questions that we had.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Julio spoke excellent English for us non-Spanish speaking travelers.

Transport

It was a walking tour so no separate transport was used. But the paths we walked were fantastic.

Tapas Tour

Spain

Really enjoyed this food tour. Our guide was a former restauranteur so she could speak in-depth about the food that was presented. Everything we sampled was delicious and we did a small “crawl” or walk from stop to stop. I have a new appreciation for Spanish olive oil.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tour of the Alhambra

Granada

The Alhambra is a must see in Granada and I am happy to have toured it with a guide who can explain so much more of the wonderful history and ornate architecture. We did a morning tour and it was still busy as there are some school groups that visit during the week.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We had a fantastic time on our trip to the Andalusia region of Spain! KimKim made all arrangements extremely convenient. The guides were impeccable and open to suggestions with our itinerary. Each of the four hotels we stayed at were incredibly nice in a great area of town. I would highly suggest KimKim to anyone traveling for pleasure in the future.

Helena was a huge help planning our first trip to Spain. All her suggestions and tips were super helpful. She was VERY patient with us and our multiple (7!) revisions over a period of almost 6 months.
Our 10 days in Spain were incredible - our most memorable vacation in 9 years (and their have been many!)
The transfers were all on time and comfortable, the hotels were fabulous, the excursions and guides were incredible... each tour got better and better as the trip went on!
Planning our trip with KimKim took a lot of pressure and worries out of the process and made our trip that much more enjoyable. During the trip, if we had any questions, Helena or her assistants were just a message away in the "Trip Plans" app and they always responded immediately. (LOVED the app! So Organized and detailed!)
We ended up getting engaged on the beach of Tossa de Mar on our 8th day and Helena was so helpful in recommending the professional photographer to my now fiancé! She even went above and beyond to upgrade our final hotel room in barcelona to a higher floor with a congratulations basket of Prosecco and chocolate dipped strawberries! It was the perfect way to celebrate!
We are already using KimKim again to plan our trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast. We have been recommending them to anyone planning trip... and we highly suggest working with Helena if you are going to Spain!
Thanks again Helena (and team), for everything!!!!

Hotel Reviews

Ohla Barcelona

Barcelona

Amazing location. Fantastic rooftop pool, bar and views Incredible breakfast! They will make fresh eggs to your liking AND cappuccinos at your request as well! Very friendly staff, always so kind, attentive and helpful. Be prepared for firm beds everywhere in Spain. but the pillows were nice and we slept well. Would definitely stay here again

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Be prepared for firm beds everywhere in Spain. but the pillows were nice and we slept well.

W Barcelona

Barcelona

FABULOUS! WOW!!!! We stayed here before our flight out... and the SPA was sooooo nice after a busy 10 days of exploring and adventure. The outdoor pool was cold but I still went in. The dinner at NOXE on the top floor was so delicious with an amazing view, great vibes and very friendly staff. Incredible breakfast! Huge Spread! and so nice to eat out on the patio with the view of the beach. Would definitely stay here again

Authenticity & Character

Super cool design and vibe! Felt like a rockstar!

Location

Incredible view of the marina/cruise port, Montjuïc and the beach and

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Barcelona Old Town & Sagrada Família

Barcelona

Our guide was soooo knowledgeable and fun. We saw so much on this full day, customized private tour and learned a lot! The Sagrada Familia and The houses on the Block of Discord were incredible!!!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Hike in Montserrat Mountain & Explore Penedès Wineries

Barcelona

OMG it was so beautiful up on Montserrat! The views were amazing, the funicular was so much fun, our hike was worth it for the views, and the tour of the monastery & other buildings was impressive. Our private guide was so funny and made the hike/walk enjoyable (wear good sneakers/hiking shoes and bring water!) The winery was very nice and the tasting was delicious. We learned a lot.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Cooking Class in Costa Brava

Spain

Mariona and Pere are AMAZING! They are full of knowledge, are so kind & funny, and have so many wonderful stories to share. The tour of the Market in Palafrugell was a great way to start the day shopping for our ingredients (seeing all the fresh seafood was the best part), and then we were welcomed into their own home and kitchen... which was such an honour. I could go on and on about the delicious food we learned to make and the incredible experience of working alongside this lovely couple in their beautiful home to create this masterpiece seafood Fideua (Paella made with Pasta instead of rice) and Creme Brûlée. (oh and I can't forget the suprisingly delicious Catalan Tomato Garlic Bread with Spanish Anchovies as an appetizer - SO good!). Our conversation over the meal was so special and I felt like we were old friends by the end of the day. Thank you for the most amazing experience Mariona & Pere. You are incredible!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coastal Hike, Kayaking & Lagoon Dipping in Costa Brava

Spain

This was an incredible experience... the views along the coastal hike were unreal, and then when we got to paddle our kayak down along the coast, it was so neat to see everything we'd hiked along from a different vantage point. We had perfect weather and fun waves... we were brave and paddled through caves and near cliffs - it was a fun team-building experience for my fiancé and I haha! and the lagoon dipping and snorkelling was made extra special when we got to jump off of various heights of cliffs! Bucket list item checked! Our guide was so informative and funny, and he even took photos for us while we were on the kayak and cliff jumping using his own phone which he sent to us that night.... that allowed us to fully enjoy the experience but still have the captured memories. This was one of the best excursions of my life!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our guides, Ana (El Escorial), Mercedes (Avila),
Luis (Salamanca), and Mariano (La Granja and Segovia) were wonderful, very knowledgeable and easy to understand. The hotels were all very good and centrally located. It was very enjoyable and relaxing vacation.

This was our first trip with KimKim. Some highlights:
- Trip planning was super easy and they were very flexible to match our needs
- Hotel locations and hotels themselves were excellent. In both cities, the hotels were an easy walk from all the places we wanted to go and close to restaurants/shopping/public transport
- the guided tours in Barcelona and Seville were fantastic. Special shout out to Noah in Barcelona for the food tour. It was just the two of us with Noah and honestly it felt like we spent the evening with a good friend. Our other tour guides Alexi in Barcelona as well as Miguel and Mariam in Seville were excellent as well.
- due to some internal miscommunication within KimKim, our tour for the Alcazar was not booked. They let us know, refunded our money and offer another complimentary tour with Mariam which was excellent
- prearranged transportation is a huge value add as landing in a foreign country and not knowing the language makes navigating public transport challenging. On our return, the pickup was at 4 am and we were grateful for the prearranged ride
- The call with our planner Adam prior the trip was very valuable as he ran through the itinerary and answered common questions (how much cash do we need to carry, how much to tip, what type of weather to expect etc)

Downsides:
- The missed tour of the Alcazar though handled well, was a big miss. It is one of the marquis attractions in Seville and one that we will likely not see again
- Most of the tours are available from TripAdvisor or Viator at lower cost BUT the trip planning and co-ordination needs a lot of prep work if you do it your self