YourTripToSpain&Portugal

We had a wonderful time in Spain with much owed to Patricia. Because of Covid it was a trip a long time in its planning but she was patient and always helpful and thanks to all her efforts to make it as seamless as possible, everything worked out very well. We could not recommend Patricia highly enough. From the moment we arrived off a cruise ship in Barcelona everything was as planned - drivers there when they were meant to be, likewise guides and without exception, all were very good - informative and friendly.
The hotels selected were all in good central locations so we had ready access to all the sights in the various cities we visited.
By way of suggestions for improvement - we loved the hotels with a rooftop pool or bar - not always possible we know but much appreciated when available. The rooftop bar and pool at the Hotel Catalonia in Ronda was outstanding.
It would also be helpful to have some bar and restaurant suggestions. That said, the hotels were usually very good with their ideas.

Our two guides, Francesca and Elena? were wonderful. Knowledgeable, friendly, easy to be around.
The hotels were exactly what we were looking for on this trip.
The bike tour was great. The ebikes themselves had operation issues, but we managed.
The olive oil tasting stop was a highlight.
Casamar is a must go restaurant for anyone in that region. Reasonably priced and incredible experience.
The boat ride was less than awesome. I should have taken your recommendation to hire a small boat guide directly from the beach. The large boat was unable to approach the shore and even though it was a sailboat, we just used the smelly diesel engine the whole time. This is the only part of the whole experience that we would not repeat - and I can only blame myself. You warned me that sailing trips in this area are not really a thing and I forced the issue. Jessica, the captain of the boat was great, but the boat ride experience itself - not so much.
The drivers from and to the airport were great. They were on-time, professional, friendly.
You had suggested we spend a night or two in wine and olive country. I declined to include that in the itinerary because we do not really drink wine, but the bike tour through the ancient cities was one of the best parts for Lynn. When we come back we will want to spend more time in these villages, maybe more biking and exploring?
Kayaking was cool. Javi, our guide, was a seasoned professional from the Basque country. Made us want to explore that area. We landed on a secluded beach and did some snorkeling. That was also a highlight.
Hiking the Cami de Ronda was great. Met a group of Americans from our home town!!
My favorite part of the entire trip was swimming at the Platja de Ros. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my life. I would like to maybe go back with a larger family group and explore the beaches on that whole peninsula.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wv9ZWnQvmwT3w7gp7
Many people told us that we were lucky to be there so early in June because after June 23rd, the whole area is very crowded. In fact, this last week, there were already many school groups in Llafranc and Calella. They occupied much of the beach. If we go back to these places, it would be good to keep that in mind.
Thanks again for your help on all of this. If we are fortunate enough to keep working in our current jobs, we will reach out to you again.

It was a very remarkable trip. Everything was planned out perfectly. All the people who had been there for us were very nice and friendly.
Patrica was always available to answer any questions we had.

Patricia planned the perfectly balanced trip for us. She has been available the entire month we have been in Spain to make additions or changes to our itinerary. The guides have all been experts in their field.

This has been a magical magical experience and Patricia was the creator of such for us.

Months ago, Patricia took the information provided as to the type of places we like to stay, in our case, more on the boutique hotel side and perfectly situated us in several towns and cities. She also made suggestions as to what to see and do while on our Mediterranean drive from the Costa Brava all the way to Marbella on the Costa del Sol. The guides provided were excellent, on time and even provided more than was necessarily required. Aina showed us Montserrat and the beautiful wine country to the northwest of Barcelona. She was personable and knowledgeable; we enjoyed her very much. The same for Daniel in Valencia. That said, the boat ride in Albufera was nothing and would not recommend it; however, the paella experience and time with Daniel was very good, both in Albufera and Valencia. I have already recommended KimKim several times to other travelers. Thank you, we may meet again!

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

Hotel Review

Cascade Wellness

Lagos

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

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

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

Activity Reviews

Douro Valley Tour

Portugal

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

Private Tour of Sintra Castles & the Lisbon Coast

Lisbon

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

Quality of Experience

Our guide and scenic area

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Claudia and Vasco were amazing

Transport

Timing and efficiency

The itinerary that Paty Marques created for our group of 8 was awesome! We will not soon forget the time we spent exploring Lisbon, Porto and Lagos. Most of us had never heard of kimkim. A friend of one of our travelers had a good experience with the company, and suggested we consider using it. The takeaway from my very first phone conversation with Paty was that she’s highly confident in her ability to create itineraries consistent with the travel objectives of her clients. She listened closely to what we wanted to see and delivered a travel experience that was truly memorable. The contrast between the three areas that we visited added immeasurably to our time in Portugal. Each of the guides that Paty utilized was excellent, but Claudia in Lisbon and Lucia in Porto definitely are superstars. The Douro Valley wine tour that Lucia led was fabulous and will not soon be forgotten, in large part due to the relationships that she has forged with the families that own the two wineries that we toured. We were treated like longtime friends at both places. The lunch at Maos e Irmaos was very special. The food served was delicious and authentic to the region. All of the transfers were handled without issue. The drivers were on time and highly professional. Safe transport was clearly a top priority. Our sincere thanks to Vasco and the others.

In summary, Paty Marques is the travel coordinator that you should use if you are considering a trip to the region. You will not regret the choice.

Claudia, Lucia and Carla were terrific! They each brought their knowledge and passion to our tours. We enjoyed all our time with them and would highly recommend them for other travelers. The transportation arrangements were excellent. The drivers were punctual, friendly and helpful. The vehicles were spotless and comfortable.

Two recommendations if I may: 1) Depending on where the pickup spot is for the walking tour of Lisbon, I would offer transportation back from the farthest point. The last 20 minutes or so of walking back was a lot for us older travelers. 😀. 2) If a train is available with good seating, it might be more time effective from Porto to Faro. At least offer the option.

Patricia was fantastic, responsive and attentive!

Hotel Review

Cascade Wellness

Lagos

The location was lovely, the spa was terrific. Our experience at the Bistropub was mixed since no reservations are available. The wait was long and the service was very slow.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the boardwalk/ cliffs. Quiet, natural surroundings and beauty.

Staff

Extremely attentive to all our concerns. Special kudos to the spa therapists who were excellent.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The apartments are very clean, however the appliances including the wash machine/dryer and iron did not work properly. Only one hair dryer was provided for two rooms/bathrooms.

Activity Reviews

Private Sailing Experience in the Algarve Coast

Portugal

The sailing was fantastic- the boat was terrific with a very friendly and capable crew. I would highly recommend this experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Douro Valley Tour

Portugal

Our guide Lucia made the trip even more special by sharing her family winery estate with us. We were thrilled to see the entire Douro valley from the top point of the mountain. We also loved having a family style lunch at the other local winery.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lucia was excellent. We also loved Alda and Lionel, our drivers.

Transport

Transfer from Lisbon to Porto stopping in Obidos & Aveiro

Portugal

Claudia chose beautiful spots to enjoy the transfer between the two cities; Obidos and Navare. She consistently chose authentic Portuguese goods and cuisine at terrific stores that we would not have been able to discern.

Quality of Experience

The restaurant in Navare, Pangeia, was outstanding. The food was superb and we had a beautiful view of the coast. I highly recommend the restaurant.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Vasco, our driver, was such a kind man. He gave my husband a gift for his birthday! Claudia brought candles and arranged for a special dessert for my husband. They could not have been nicer.

Transport

Comfortable, clean and timely.

Well organized and very professional,
Patricia was very responsive.
transportation vehicles were first class as were the drivers.. Claudia was a great guide in Lisbon. Lucia in Porto and Carla in Lagos also, we’re fantastic.
1st class trip

This trip started four months before we eventually landed in Madrid. My personal contact is Patricia and what a gem. She listened and adapted to my many many requests. She was quick to give her expertise and opinions on my decisions to make this a memorable experience. Even one week before she still was reaching out to confirm , by phone our understanding of this involved itinerary. Her selection of guides, Anna, Blanca, and all our drivers were magnificent. This was a 50th anniversary gift to each other and Patricia made this trip along with every choice a stresses and unforgettable moment of Spain.

Hotel Reviews

CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha

Madrid

We loved the private location off of the street. You fall into a backyard paradise with the outdoor covered breakfast space viewing and listening to the fountain/pool and accompanied with lounging furniture. But the breakfast was so outstanding with eggs made to order and the cappuccino, perfect. The waitstaff was like a 5 star restaurant. Christina, Aveleno at the reception desk always smile and accommodating. But our last night surprise was we decided to just have our dinner meal at the hotel for convenience. WOW! This was our Best meal. The food flavors, presentation, our waiter. It was a 5-star food experience and should Not be overlooked as one of your choices in Madrid

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Christina and Avelno?

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Gravina 51

Sevilla

Fabulous fabulous fabulous! Beautiful sophisticated immaculate again Boutique with flair. Everyone at the reception desk, Thomas, Rosarioetc and then the breakfast staff just outstanding and there to make your moment better.

Authenticity & Character

Gorgeous feel with quality of decor.

Location

Staff

Rave reviews for everyone at this hotel

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everywhere you looked it was clean and fresh

Hotel NH Collection Granada Victoria

Granada

The location was fine but it is a very busy busy intersection that wasn’t our favorite choice. But taxi stand one block away made it perfect for sightseeing and restaurants. The room was dark and the buffet was not at the same level as other hotels. The coffee and cappuccino was just inferior but still didn’t buy Starbucks.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Boutique smaller staff but more personal attention

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

H10 Palacio Colomera

Córdoba

We loved the location but we kept getting lost since the Jewish Quarter is made up of the smallest streets and maze network for both automobiles and people. But the charm the ancient architecture was stimulating. The hotel had an arched gateway with chairs/tables/flowers that you could just sit and people watch. But two other interior spaces were only for guests and they are the gems of the hotel. One, (which we didn’t know) was the smoking area. Beautiful but sorry was smoking space. The other much larger and felt Moorish architecture with Vasquez bigger than life on the walls but perfect for a glass of wine with tapas before dinner.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Another group of extremely friendly and supportive young staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private guided foodies evening tour: Tapas in Malasaña

Madrid

We loved the three locations that our English/Spanish guide had chosen. He built upon each location and food/wine experience and we talked a lot about the Spanish style.

Quality of Experience

Food

The three locations of variety of hams

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private guided tour of the Habsburgs' Quarter & Royal Palace

Madrid

Every room was special in the design and purpose that it was used during the King and Queen. The story behind how it changed as the leadership changed and what they did with the space.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Can’t remember but another very intelligent and a plethora of facts that we enjoyed. Use him again for any small or personal size group.

Transport

Evening out for flamenco & tapas in Triana Quarter

Seville

High end performance and so professional done. Our guide said that these where the best of the best that we had seen and very special to hear castinates being played.

Quality of Experience

5stars but just performance. The food fell short and was expecting a better experience after a phenomenal Flamenco night.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked

A foodie escape to Sherry Wine Region & Cadiz

Spain

I felt that the length of this journey was not up to the advertising of what it offered. The wine sherry was very disappointing because it felt like it lacked any atmosphere where it was abd the speech was very non emotional, too much remote like speech. The sherry was just OK also. Then Cadiz was nothing to do or visit. Just a beach with people. The best part was with our guide where she choose a great beach restaurant away from Cadiz. We watched the wind surfers but the food selection was great along with plenty of wine

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport