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Espíritu Travel

At Espíritu Travel we are passionate about travel, naturally, we want to help to maximize the benefits that tourism can bring to the places that we offer. Responsible Travel (RT) does not mean having to compromise on the enjoyment of your trip or the quality of your accommodation.

We strongly believe that our trips should directly benefit the communities we visit whenever possible through the principles of sustainable travel;
minimizing environmental impacts and optimizing community benefits, without sacrificing comfort or the character of vacations.

In a place like Spain and Portugal, it is easier than say a place like Morocco, where sustainable, responsible tourism is not as well known it is no easy task but we believe that this will change and we hope to be a part of that change.

Espíritu Travel is part of the following groups: Italy Travel Agents, Portugal Travel Agents, Spain Travel Agents

Featured trips & expertise

Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent Trip Reviews for Espíritu Travel

My daughter Alayne and I had a wonderful memo...
Spain | Dec 12 - Dec 18, 2024

Patti
Patti S.
Rock Hill, SC | Reviewed on Dec 21, 2024
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... Read more

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
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
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 & 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
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
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha

Raquel was excellent! We loved our trip, she ...
Portugal | Sep 26 - Oct 3, 2024

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Calab B.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Dec 19, 2024
Raquel was excellent! We loved our trip, she did such a fantastic job. The tours she selected for us were perfect. The catamaran was a highlight for sure! Read more

Raquel was excellent! We loved our trip, she did such a fantastic job. The tours she selected for us were perfect. The catamaran was a highlight for sure!

Activity Reviews
Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise
Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise
Porto

This was a perfect day! The guide was excellent and we the scenery was stunning.

Catamaran Cruise to Benagil & Carvoeiro w/Snorkeling & SUP
Catamaran Cruise to Benagil & Carvoeiro w/Snorkeling & SUP
Portugal

This could not have been more perfect! The group was small and the guides were fun. We loved this experience.

Local specialist: Raquel Aceituno
Raquel
Raquel Aceituno
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Dec 19, 2024

Hi Calab, Thanks so much for taking the time to share the highlights of your trip and for your kind words! I am glad to know that you and Alexis had a great time discovering Portugal 🥰It was a pleasure creating this experience with you and hopefully, we get in touch again for future adventures x All the best, Raquel

Good not great
Italy | Nov 12 - Nov 22, 2024

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charley w.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Dec 12, 2024
The good: entire trip was pre-planned so we literally just had to get ourselves to the airport. But from landing in Rome to leaving Rome 11 days later everything was taken care if. If you have questions, or a driver is late, whatever, the person helping you via the app was super fast and responsive. Very white glove. For us, Rita was on point. The highlights of our trip were a guided walking tour of Florence, which was simply amazing. I don’t remember our guides name, but she understood... Read more

The good: entire trip was pre-planned so we literally just had to get ourselves to the airport. But from landing in Rome to leaving Rome 11 days later everything was taken care if.

If you have questions, or a driver is late, whatever, the person helping you via the app was super fast and responsive. Very white glove. For us, Rita was on point.

The highlights of our trip were a guided walking tour of Florence, which was simply amazing. I don’t remember our guides name, but she understood architecture and art and made the three hours absolutely fascinating. The other highlight was our cooking class in Rome, which was an absolute blast.

The less good: we were planning a day trip to the Amalfi coast. They said it was about an eight hour day. But the night before, luckily, we looked at maps and realized the drive from Rome to Amalfi was three hours and 15 minutes or more. So given that we were going to be in the car for approximately seven hours, we weren’t sure how it was going to be an eight hour day. When we contacted them, they said oh yeah actually it’s a 12 hour day. And of those 12 hours, yes we’re gonna be in the car 7 to 8 hours driving to and from Amalfi and then around the area once we’re there. We were just not psyched about spending that much time in a car and we’re disappointed that the trip was so misrepresented. They did change it for us so that we could do something else around Rome that day. We basically had a car that took us to some of the local villages outside of Rome and that was pretty fun. But it was certainly a lot cheaper than the 12 hour day to Amalfi coast and yet they didn’t offer to rebate us any money. So that experience was disappointing.

The other less good… we had a day trip to sienna from Florence. And why we loved Sienna, and our driver was lovely, it turns out that he was only a driver who dropped us off in Siena and we were on our own. We sort of thought that he would drive us to sienna and then take us around. Sienna. And because we misunderstood that we sort of got to sienna and didn’t really know what to do. Because we didn’t do any research we thought we didn’t have to. Again, the driver was lovely, but it was just sort of a strange misunderstanding.

The final less good…the cost. Look if you’re insanely wealthy and don’t care then don’t read this paragraph. But we spent quite a bit of money to hire Kim Kim, and in the end felt like we received a lot of drivers and several guided tours that we probably could’ve booked ourselves. And like I said when we changed our 12 hour Amalfi excursion to an eight hour excursion just around Rome they didn’t refund us any money.

So overall sort of a mixed bag for us. Not sorry we hired Kim Kim, but also not sure we would do it again. Lastly, I would like to thank everyone from Kim Kim, who was so lovely in dealing with us. They were very, very nice.

Local specialist: Rita Pagano

Beautiful and unique trip that we never could have dreamt up on our own!
Italy | Nov 28 - Dec 8, 2024

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Bianca M.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Dec 09, 2024
Absolutely beside myself at how well-planned our trip to Italy was. Anita and her team did such an incredible job taking our vision and making it much more than we could have imagined. I feel like we took such a unique trip that we will be reminiscing about for the rest of our lives. Everything from the off-the-beaten-path tours to the smooth and professional drivers and transfers...we were blown away at the experience. Thanks so much! Read more

Absolutely beside myself at how well-planned our trip to Italy was. Anita and her team did such an incredible job taking our vision and making it much more than we could have imagined. I feel like we took such a unique trip that we will be reminiscing about for the rest of our lives. Everything from the off-the-beaten-path tours to the smooth and professional drivers and transfers...we were blown away at the experience. Thanks so much!

Hotel Reviews
Sorrento City Hotel
Sorrento

Great location and attentive staff. The breakfast had wonderful variety and felt very homey.

Authenticity & Character
Small but well thought out. Not the coziest hotel I've ever been to, but gets the job done well.
Location
Right on the main street of Sorrento. Very easily walkable and lively.
Staff
Kind staff. Breakfast attendants were very warm.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pietra Campana Italian Villa
Orvieto

Cannot give this villa enough praise. The location is absolutely breath-taking. The service and warmth of the staff was so wonderful. The spaciousness of the room was also wonderful. Highly recommend!!

Authenticity & Character
I felt like I was staying with a family member in the Italian countryside.
Location
Unbelievable panoramic views of Orvieto, while still being a very short drive from the city.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Maison du Sage
Florence

What a cool, unique guest house in such a fun part of town!

Authenticity & Character
The art deco decor was so cool while still giving a very cozy environment.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and super comfortable. The couch/daybed was an amazing touch. We loved!
Activity Review
Private Full Day Amalfi Experience
Private Full Day Amalfi Experience
Italy

It rained the whole day but we made the most of it. Was really fun to travel the Amalfi Coast during off-season. If there's any way to request Giuseppe as your driver/guide, you MUST!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Giuseppe was top notch!
Transport
Local specialist: Anita Matijasevic
Anita
Anita Matijasevic
Local specialist in Madrid & Florence | Replied on Dec 12, 2024

Hi Bianca, thank you for taking the time to write your trip review! I am glad to hear that everything went just as we planned (except the rain on the Amalfi Coast) and that you enjoyed your vacation! I hope to be able to help you again for your future trips to Italy, Spain, Morocco or Portugal. I wish you all the best 😊 Kind regards, Anita

Unforgettable Portugal & Spain Adventure!
Spain | Oct 11 - Oct 20, 2024

Lisa
Lisa G.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on Dec 07, 2024
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... Read more

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Beatriz
Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Dec 20, 2024

Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that the trip exceeded your expectations and created unforgettable memories. Your kind words mean a lot to us and inspire us to keep delivering exceptional journeys! :) Best regards, Bea

Awesome trip to Portugal
Portugal | Nov 3 - Nov 16, 2024

Samantha
Samantha S.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2024
We had an amazing trip to Portugal. We don't usually do trips like this (booked by a travel agent with guided excursions), but Helena found great local guides who were very knowledgeable, and willing to take us off the beaten path. In many cases, it felt like going on a day trip with an old friend. The drivers who transported us to and from the airport and between cities were also great - punctual, very friendly, and helpful. And the hotels were amazing - very nice and in great locations! It... Read more

We had an amazing trip to Portugal. We don't usually do trips like this (booked by a travel agent with guided excursions), but Helena found great local guides who were very knowledgeable, and willing to take us off the beaten path. In many cases, it felt like going on a day trip with an old friend. The drivers who transported us to and from the airport and between cities were also great - punctual, very friendly, and helpful. And the hotels were amazing - very nice and in great locations! It was such a relief to have all of these details planned for us, plus helpful tips provided to us for restaurants, sights, and travelling in Portugal in general. There were a couple of hiccups with the bookings but the folks at Kim Kim were very responsive when we contacted them and it didn't adversely impact our overall experience. It is hard to pick a favourite day, but we'd have to pick our trip to Sintra - our guide recognized we were stronger hikers who liked to get away from the crowds, so he took us to the coast down some more technical hiking trails to a (relatively) quiet beach where we had a picnic and watched the sunset. Absolutely stunning!

Hotel Reviews
PortoBay Hotel Teatro
Porto

Great location, very friendly and helpful staff, clean and modern

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Mondego
Coimbra

Great location, staff were very friendly and helpful, room had a small balcony which was really nice to have for a sit outside to watch the city go by. Has a rooftop bar which is amazing for a night cap.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Évora Olive Hotel
Evora

Great location, staff were very friendly and helpful, great bar/lounge for an after-dinner night cap. The balcony with the room and the hotel pool were a nice touch. We didn't make an appointment but there is a spa where you could book a massage or treatment if you'd like.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Portugal Boutique Hotel
Lisbon

Beautiful hotel in an amazing location in Lisbon. We were upgraded to an incredible suite with a sitting area where we could enjoy a nice glass of wine and some pastries - so lovely! Staff were very friendly and helpful.

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

We saw two great wineries, learned about the history and process of port and wine-making in the area, and had a lovely boat ride on the Duoro. The visit to the first winery also included an olive oil tasting and they had gluten-free bread available for me (I have celiac disease). Our lunch stop was a small unassuming place that made amazing food. Our guide, Pedro, took great care of us and was very patient as we stopped to pet all of the friendly dogs we met :)

Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Porto

Our guide, Emanuel, was very knowledgeable, friendly, and funny. He knew a lot about the local flora and fauna, and the history of the area we were in. Despite him believing the water was too cold, he was happy to let me go for a swim in some waterfalls :). We had a great visit in a local village and enjoyed some drinks at a small pub to cap off the day.

Adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with hiking)
Adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with hiking)
Coimbra

This is a beautiful region and I highly recommend visiting. Sergio, our guide, was very knowledgeable and friendly, and took us on some great trails and to two beautiful Schist Villages. He was able to find a restaurant in Lousa that could accommodate my gluten allergy (celiac) and offer traditional regional dishes (chanfana and wild boar). It was really fun exploring the mountains in the area in his jeep, and meeting some of the locals who still live in the villages.

Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Tomar
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Tomar
Portugal

Pedro, our driver, was very friendly and a great companion for the drive. He did not rush us at all as we visited the Convento de Cristo, Castelo de Tomar, and the Castelo de Almourol. We were able to find a lovely little cafe in Tomar for lunch - Insensato cafe and livraria - that made us the perfect lunch and had gluten-free options (I am a celiac).

Quality of Experience
While the convent and the castles were very beautiful and the history very interesting, it did make for a long day and in hindsight it might have been better to have less time in the convent and castles and more time in Evora.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pedro was very friendly, did not rush us at all, and was a pleasure to go on a long drive with!
Transport
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Portugal

This was our favourite day of the trip! We hiked lots, and our guide Felis knew how to get us off the beaten path. We had a wonderful, quiet lunch spot on the trails with a stunning view of the palace. We explored the Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and the Quinta da Regaleira (including the caves/tunnels). We were able to add on another hike at the end of the day, a trip to the coast to go to Praia da Ursa to drink wine, eat cheese and watch the sunset on the beach. I can't think of a more perfect way to end the day!

Private Cooking Class with Market Visit
Private Cooking Class with Market Visit
Lisbon

Artur was SO lovely, it was like cooking lunch with an old friend. We visited the market and shopped for fresh ingredients, learning some tips on how to find and store the ingredients properly. We walked back to Artur's house where he has a well-appointed and cozy kitchen and learned some of his techniques, and how to get the best flavour out of fresh, simple dishes. We enjoyed a lunch of roasted tomatoes, sea bass, asparagus, pinto beans, mushrooms, suckling pig ribs, roasted almonds, mango, and queso fresco (and of course vino verdhe!) This was a highlight of our trip for sure!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We were told that pickup would be at our hotel, but it turned out transportation had not been booked. We were able to take a taxi to the market but this did result in us being late to meet Artur. Overall, our experience was still amazing and we were grateful that we could still proceed with the cooking class and market visit!
Fado Dinner Experience
Fado Dinner Experience
Lisbon

The fado singers were absolutely incredible! We had an amazing table, right up front, where we could fully appreciate the musicians and singers. The talent of these artists cannot be understated. The restaurant service was very prompt and friendly, the food was decent, and they were able to accommodate my gluten allergy (celiac).

Quality of Experience
Food
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Nov 20, 2024

Hi Samantha,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your time in Portugal and felt so well taken care of by our local guides and drivers. 😍

I’m happy to know you went back home with such memorable moments, especially the hike in Sintra! 😊

I’d love to assist in planning your next adventure! What about Spain, Morocco, or Italy? 🤩
Wishing you many more amazing travels ahead!

Warmest regards,
Helena

Helena even helped with my fiancé's proposal plans in Spain!!!! She's amazing!
Spain | Oct 13 - Oct 23, 2024

Christa
Christa J.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 15, 2024
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...
Read more

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
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
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
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
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
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Nov 20, 2024

Hi Christa & Chris,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad to know that your trip to Spain was such a memorable experience and that I could play a part in your engagement celebration. 😍 Congratulations again! 🥂

It was a pleasure working with you, and I’d be delighted to help plan your next adventure, other parts of Spain, or even Portugal, Italy, or Morocco.

Don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready for your next unforgettable trip! 🤩

Warmest regards,
Helena

Overall, our trip to Italy was wonderful! The...
Italy | Oct 16 - Oct 31, 2024

Beth
Beth B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Nov 13, 2024
Overall, our trip to Italy was wonderful! The information Marina gave us was for the most part very clear and timely and correct. We did experience a few glitches in communication which I will detail in a moment. But, again, overall, the drivers, guides, accommodations, and tours were really very good. The drivers were friendly and spoke English well enough for us to be able to communicate, and in many instances very well! The guides for the tours were well informed and passionate about... Read more

Overall, our trip to Italy was wonderful! The information Marina gave us was for the most part very clear and timely and correct. We did experience a few glitches in communication which I will detail in a moment. But, again, overall, the drivers, guides, accommodations, and tours were really very good. The drivers were friendly and spoke English well enough for us to be able to communicate, and in many instances very well! The guides for the tours were well informed and passionate about what they were telling us. I am not good with names and was going to get back on the Trip Plans App to retrieve some of those names, but it won't let me. The Trip Plans App was also very helpful in keeping directions, train tickets, guide names etc all at our fingertips! I liked that very much!
Back to our drivers & guides: Coliseum tour: wonderful guide!! Very engaging! We saw her the next day at the Vatican and she came up to us and spoke for a while. Lovely woman! AnnaMarie may have been her name?
The food tour: Delightful young woman, who conveyed the different vibes of the different areas well!
The cooking class: This was a blast! The chef was a lot of fun even though he didn't speak English! He made himself known, and our translator was fun and engaging with the whole group! I may get a pasta maker because of this class!
Pompeii tour: She was so knowledgeable and interesting to talk with! She really knew the history, and conveyed it well to us. Again I'm so sorry I don't have any names!
Trip to Capri Island: She was wonderful as well! Knowledgeable and fun to chat with about life style and cultural things. I enjoyed her very much!
Florence tour with David: Very good as well. She was personable and informative. There was quite a bit of standing while she spoke and that was a little hard. She knew her stuff about Michelangelo and David though and that showed in the way she spoke about the statue!
Our driver and guide for the 3 Tuscan towns were good too. Friendly and informative! The driver was very accommodating. His name was Johnny! We were ready earlier and he was there and we just started out before the time and changed the order of the towns to be seen. It was a lovely day!
Wine tasting day! Fabulous! I think Matthew was our driver/guides name. Funny, informative, (a little opinionated, but that was ok! We understood where he was coming from even tho we may not have agreed on all his points!) He was a lot of fun and we learned A LOT from him!
Jacob was our driver/guide for what should have been our day to Cinque Terre. The rain kept us away from there which was a great disappointment for me as that was the place I was most looking forward to. We went instead to Lucca and Pisa. The day was sunny but I was sad about not being able to spend the day by the sea. Jacob was excellent as well. He was very knowledgeable about all kinds of things and funny too. Seeing the Marble mountains driving by Carrara was a treat we didn't expect. Very cool!
I think our guide in Venice was "Henry" or the Italian equivalent of Henry! He was delightful as well! Really knew the subject of St Marks Basilica and the Doges palace well. There again, we stood quite a bit and that made us tired. That wasn't his fault tho!
Accommodations were very nice! Capo d/Africa hotel: Lovely, friendly staff. Positano Art hotel: very nice! Concierge there was very helpful and personable! Olympia Hotel in Venice: Super friendly staff!! Very helpful! Mamo apartment was very nice as well. I did call for them to come and fix something in our closet, but they couldn't make that happen. We called for additional toilet paper & trash bags and someone decided that it would be good to deliver them at 22:30! We were all in bed! At first I thought it would be far from the Florence sites but the location grew on me! There were several good restaurants we enjoyed very close to the apartment! Good job! :)
Now the down side of the trip were the following: Communication while in Italy. For the most part it was fine but there were several times that the drivers or guides had my sister-in-law, Julie's number. Julie began the process of planning the trip but had to back out in April, so I took over planning. I don't think Marina communicated with Julie anytime past June, so her number should not have been part of the itinerary. When we booked and had to give all our final information I took Julie's name off the list so it wouldn't be confusing, but it was still in Marina's files. Julie ended up getting several calls from Italy (mainly in the middle of the night!). That was annoying for Julie and frustrating for me as I couldn't get to our guides in a timely fashion. This happened most notably on the Vatican tour. Our guide was late, I believe, to begin with, and didn't use a sign with our name on it. She looked up Julie on facebook to see what she looked like to be able to find us. That obviously didn't work. I don't look like my SIL! :)
The Vatican tour was disappointing too as I had requested going to the Rafael Rooms specifically, and that got overlooked.
The other disappointment was the final day in Rome. We didn't get to go on the Appian Way bike tour because of traffic to the airport hotel. And we didn't get any type of refund for this either.
I think this stemmed from the fact that I had no idea about drive times to and from places. I wish that Marina would have explained drive times to me better. It didn't affect too much of the trip, but this last day we may have changed things around had we know about how long it took to get from the train station to the airport and back to town to take the tour. All we did that day was travel, but it wore us out! Plus day light savings time had just ended so it was getting dark sooner than it had up until that point. That threw us off as well. If Marina had explained to us that, since we wanted to stay at the A/P hotel, that we may be taking on too much, we could have cancelled that activity and saved a little bit of money. We did have a nice relaxing evening together at the hotel on that last night!
Oh! One other suggestion! It would have been helpful to have the name of the tour companies for the tours we were on. We would have then been able to be proactive in finding our guides a little quicker. As it was we were completely dependent on them finding us. Just a thought!
So as you can see we had a "Fantastico" trip to Italy! There were some rough spots, but nothing that would dampen my memories of this trip! I have already recommended KimKim to others planning trips to Europe and Italy in particular! Thank you for listening to me!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Capo d'Africa—Colosseo
Rome

Good location, friendly staff and the breakfasts included in the stay were very tasty!

Authenticity & Character
rooftop breakfast and bar in the evenings!
Location
walkable to historic attractions
Staff
Very friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
No problems!
Art Hotel Pasitea
Positano

Lovely hotel! Concierge was super helpful in restaurant selection! He really seemed to enjoy seeing us when we'd come by the front desk!

Authenticity & Character
Fun artwork all over the place here!
Location
Beautiful views! Gorgeous
Staff
Very friendly staff and helpful. Spoke English well for us, which we appreciated!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lovely rooms. Could have had a few more hooks, shelves & storage cabinets. A mini frig would have been nice too!
Mamo Florence Apartment
Firenze

Not as far from the Florence attractions as I initially thought but we did have to do a good bit of walking, which isn't bad! The staff was mostly accommodating to some of our needs. They couldn't come fix a closet issue, and brought us extra toilet paper and trash bags at 22:30! That was late for us Americans! We were in bed already! I would suggest having instructions for things like the coffee maker, washer/dryer & dishwasher. Letting us know what the checkout process was, and what to do with the trash would have been helpful too. Maybe having an information sheet with restaurants, markets, pharmacies etc would have been nice too. The lock for the door was something none of us had ever seen so that was a challenge initially but we got used to it! Overall a nice place to stay!

Authenticity & Character
City feel
Location
Good . Maybe could have been a little closer to town.
Staff
22:30 for delivery? not the best.
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was fine and clean and comfortable!
Activity Reviews
Colosseum & Roman Forum Visit: Arena Access, Gladiators Gate & Ancient City
Colosseum & Roman Forum Visit: Arena Access, Gladiators Gate & Ancient City
Rome

Learned a lot! Lovely guide

Quality of Experience
learned a lot
Guides, Drivers and Staff
she was very engaging
Transport
we walked there!
La Dolce Vita: Private Golf Cart in Rome
La Dolce Vita: Private Golf Cart in Rome
Rome

Loads of fun! Guide was great and drove us all over the place! He was very knowledgeable and explained a lot of history & culture to us! He was losing his voice and we felt bad about that. a microphone would have help us and him out a bunch!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
so fun and a little scary on the streets of Rome! We had a lot of fun!
Day Excursion to Capri Island and Anacapri
Day Excursion to Capri Island and Anacapri
Italy

Started out rainy but turned into a lovely sunny day! Really enjoyed the Funicular and the chair lift to the top of Anacapri!

Quality of Experience
Our guide was very personable and helpful
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Enjoyed our guide very much
Transport
I thought we would get to ride a hover craft out but we didn't get to That was the only downside. Funicular, Chairlift,ride over the MamaMia bridge! Very memorable
Day Excursion to Pompeii & Hercolanum
Day Excursion to Pompeii & Hercolanum
Italy

Fascinating to learn all the details of these ancient cities!

Quality of Experience
very informative.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Excellent! She knew her stuff and could convey it well to us!
Transport
Our driver to and from Pompeii/Positano was very conversational!
Guided Visit: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Guided Visit: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Rome

Interesting place. Lots of people. Didn't find our guide for about half an hour. It was beautiful but felt herded like cattle through the Sistine Chapel. Didn't get to see the Rafael Room which was on my list.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She was passionate about the artwork she was telling us about
Transport
The driver to the Vatican was fine.
Italian Cooking Class with a Local
Italian Cooking Class with a Local
Rome

So fun! Loved this event! Made pasta and an appetizer and were served plenty of wine in the process! Friendly Chef, translator and staff too!

Quality of Experience
Engaging staff! Wine! Yummy food! Fun Chef!
Food
Great food! So fun!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Enthusiasm, outgoing personality!
Transport
the driver got us there! It was fine!
Guided Visit of Florence Including David and Duomo
Guided Visit of Florence Including David and Duomo
Florence

Good tour. Lots of information. Lots of standing which is hard sometimes! We did walk a lot though too!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We walked and met her at the designated point.
Chianti Wine Half-Day Experience
Chianti Wine Half-Day Experience
Florence

So fun! Really enjoyed the wine, luncheon an both wineries! The guide was very friendly and talkative as well (I talked about him in my overall review

Quality of Experience
Food
Delicious! Italian lunch and olive oil and wine! Who could ask for anything more!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
friendly funny knowledgeable
Transport
driver was our guide! Good!
Day Trip to Siena, San Gimignano & Monteriggioni
Day Trip to Siena, San Gimignano & Monteriggioni
Florence

Fun day driving through the Tuscan countryside!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver was super friendly and helpful! He told all sorts of things about the area. Our guide in Sienna was good too! She enjoyed her town and liked telling people about it!
Transport
Driver was great!
Day Excursion to Cinque Terre
Day Excursion to Cinque Terre
Florence

Did not go to Cinque Terre because of rain. Very disappointing to me! We did go to Lucca and Pisa. It was sunny but didn't make up for not being able to see the sea!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver Jacob made the best of a bad situation. He was super friendly and explained a lot of things to us driving down the highways to our destinations!
Transport
Driver was excellent!
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Nov 25, 2024
Hi Beth! Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review! 🤩I was thrilled to hear that your trip to Italy was overall a wonderful and memorable experience. It’s heartwarming to know that you enjoyed the accommodations, drivers, guides, and tours. Your enthusiasm for the cooking class, the wine-tasting day, and the memorable interactions with guides like “AnnaMarie” at the Colosseum and Vatican truly shines through! I am delighted to hear that the Trip Plans App was helpful in... Read more

Hi Beth! Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review! 🤩I was thrilled to hear that your trip to Italy was overall a wonderful and memorable experience. It’s heartwarming to know that you enjoyed the accommodations, drivers, guides, and tours. Your enthusiasm for the cooking class, the wine-tasting day, and the memorable interactions with guides like “AnnaMarie” at the Colosseum and Vatican truly shines through!

I am delighted to hear that the Trip Plans App was helpful in keeping all your travel details organized—making sure everything is at your fingertips is so important when traveling!

I truly appreciate your candid feedback regarding communication and logistical challenges. We deeply regret any confusion caused by outdated contact information and the issues that stemmed from it, especially during the Vatican tour. Your suggestion to include tour company names for easier coordination is a great idea, and we’ll definitely consider implementing it to make future trips even smoother for our travelers.

I am sorry to hear the weather for the Day Excursion to Cinque Terre was not the best and that you had to change plans. You always have to leave something to come back so I hope next time you visit Italy you can finally see Cinque Terre 😊

I hope to help you plan another “Fantastico” adventure for you in the future! Whether it’s a return to Italy or exploring Spain, Portugal or Morocco I will be delighted to assist you again 🤩 Grazie mille! Marina

Everything was perfect. Your choice of hotels...
Spain | Oct 23 - Nov 6, 2024

B
Brian G.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Nov 09, 2024

Everything was perfect. Your choice of hotels were perfectly located in the center of the activities that we wanted to see and do. Your choice of restaurants were great.
Thank you for all your support.

Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Nov 11, 2024

Hi Brian, thank you so much for submitting your kind words! It has been a pleasure to help you with the trip and hope you thoroughly enjoyed Spain and Portugal. Let's work together in the future again! All my best, Marta

Perfect itinerary for Spain and Portugal
Spain | Oct 23 - Nov 6, 2024

Cindee
Cindee G.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Nov 07, 2024
Marta from KimKim put together a perfect itinerary for our first trip to Spain and Portugal with two other couples. The itinerary was thoughtfully crafted, covering a blend of cultural, historical, and gastronomical experiences that brought out the true essence of each city. From the grand architecture of the Alhambra to the seaside charm of Lagos and Porto, every moment was enriched by the friendliness, knowledge and local expertise of our exceptional guides and the comfort provided by our... Read more

Marta from KimKim put together a perfect itinerary for our first trip to Spain and Portugal with two other couples. The itinerary was thoughtfully crafted, covering a blend of cultural, historical, and gastronomical experiences that brought out the true essence of each city. From the grand architecture of the Alhambra to the seaside charm of Lagos and Porto, every moment was enriched by the friendliness, knowledge and local expertise of our exceptional guides and the comfort provided by our dedicated drivers.

Hotels were perfectly selected for their comfort, location, and hospitality, making each stay a delight. I particularly liked that each boutique hotel had its own charm and reflected the local architecture - plus, every one was centrally located so we could easily walk to restaurants or catch a short Uber ride to an activity. And I can't say enough about the delicious food in both countries. The recommendations provided by Marta/KimKim were great and we especially appreciated the quick response when we didn't have any plans and I texted in the app "can you recommend 1-2 local seafood restaurants near our hotel" and got an instant response - even after normal business hours!

The activities, from the (super fun) cooking class at The Cooking Clubhouse and a Fado dinner to the scenic wine-tasting experience and lunch in the Douro Valley, were well-organized and immersive. Highlights like the Flamenco show in Seville and a visit to a hammam in Seville brought unique local color to our journey, making the trip unforgettable. The only disappointment was that our boat excursion to Benagil Caves was canceled due to weather (but that was unavoidable as we were in Spain the days there were terrible flash floods in Spain causing tragic fatalities in the north).

Overall, this itinerary was flawless in its execution. The attention to detail and seamless coordination ensured that we could simply enjoy each day without a worry. This is our second trip with KimKim and they've done a spectacular job each time customizing each tour to our interests, preferences and budget.

Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Nov 08, 2024

Hi Cindee, thank you for submitting your feedback after your adventure! Being your specialist and organizing this Spanish and Portuguese experience for you and your friends has been a pleasure. I will pass on your feedback to our local team as each guide, driver, and hotel we work with strives to achieve excellence. Hope our paths cross again soon! All my best wishes, Marta