Marta was amazing. Kim Kim for Portugal is a definite recommendation!
Portugal | Aug 20 - Aug 30, 2022

C
christy h.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Aug 31, 2022

Marta was amazing. The vacation was amazing. We really enjoyed Rui, Paolo and Sandra are very high recommends! The ladies that took us on the food tours were great as was the gal that took us on a history tour of Lisbon. The gentleman that took us on the Algarve wine tour was knowledgeable but not so good as a guide. He was pleasant but not so good at making it a personal experience. Bea was very helpful when she was able to get the extra room at the Algarve hotel. That hotel is very Bohemian and offered no privacy and thank you so much for fixing the issue. That made the experience so much better!
One suggestion is that I didn’t realize that the meeting point for the catamaran trip was more than 30 minutes drive from the hotel. I wish that the instructions were a little more clear about that. We ended up not making it on that trip because (my fault) I assumed that the departure point was Marina across the street from the hotel. The boat company let us take another cruise the following day but it wasn’t the great cruise that we had booked. But at least it was something.
Overall the trip was planned and managed very well. There are not enough amazing words to describe how happy I am with the trip. I will only use Kim Kim to plan vacations from now on. I have already recommended it more than 5 times and will continue to do so.
Also one final shout out again to Rui, Sandra and Paulo. And of course to Marta and Bea. Thank you so much! Hope to be in touch soon for my next adventure!
Best Regards
Christy

Hotel Reviews
Hotel AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado
Lisbon

This hotel is beyond amazing. It’s gorgeous the staff are very helpful. The food was great. The room was so nice. This is located in a nice location definitely recommend!!!

Authenticity & Character
So gorgeous inside
Location
Easy to get to restaurants and points of interest.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super clean. Room seemed new
The Arc Carris
Porto

This was ok. The food was great. The staff were nice. The room was ok. It suited the purpose

Authenticity & Character
It was ok
Location
Porto
Staff
They were nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was ok
Lagos Avenida Hotel
Lagos

This is a beautiful bohemian hotel if you are a single traveler. The rooms were clean and well maintained. The issue is that there is no privacy to use the shower, dress/ undress and very little privacy for the toilet. But my experience was that the room was lovely as long as I was the only one staying in the room. The restaurant, bar and lobby are gorgeous - but I would not want to stay in a room with another person due to lack of privacy

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful lobby
Location
Right across from Marina and very near the old downtown and beautiful shops and restaurants
Staff
Very friendly and exceptionally helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
The lack of privacy makes me rate it lower - very bohemian
Hotel Star Inn Lisbon Aeroporto
Lisboa

This hotel was ok - there was a mediocre restaurant and bar - it was close to the airport so that was very convenient.

Authenticity & Character
Nothing great except that the management provided a lovely welcome snack and cherry liquor shots
Location
Right next to airport with feee shuttle
Staff
They were ok nothing really spectacular
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was an older property with zero personality and the bar and restaurant were not nice
Activity Reviews
Architectural & Historical Highlights of Lisbon
Architectural & Historical Highlights of Lisbon
Lisbon

I enjoyed all the historical stories about Lisbon

Quality of Experience
Everything
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Food and fun
Transport
I like walking.
Foodie Experience in Porto
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

Marion was very knowledgeable. The places w we went and quality of tastings were high. I would definitely recommend her and the tour

Quality of Experience
The stories that went along with the food tastings.
Food
The quality of food and drinks was first rate
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Marion was great and we enjoyed the tour. She was personable and knowledgeable
Vintage Car Tour of Porto
Vintage Car Tour of Porto
Porto

This was a lot of fun. Sandra’s extensive knowledge about Porto and her ability to tell the story made this a fun adventure.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Both Sandra and our driver were a lot of fun
Transport
Super cute vintage car
Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Porto

Definitely one of the best tours and days I have had on vacations ever! Rui was great. He arranged for a wonderful meal with a wine maker where we bought several cases of wine. I loved this day. Rui is super knowledgeable and definitely a recommended guide.

Quality of Experience
The wine, port and food at the Quinta was amazing
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Rui
Transport
Very clean vehicle
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

Paulo is amazing. His plan of visiting Sintra and Monserrate made sense based on the day’s weather and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Paulo also gave us some great recommendations for our trip to Algarve. He is great. Highly recommend him as a private guide

Quality of Experience
Such a gorgeous day. Paulo is very knowledgeable
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Paulo
Transport
Very clean
Catamaran Cruise to Benagil & Carvoeiro w/Snorkeling & SUP
Catamaran Cruise to Benagil & Carvoeiro w/Snorkeling & SUP
Portugal

We ended up missing the original cruise. I didn’t realize that the meeting point was 30-40 minutes from the hotel. We took a cruise the next day. It was nice

Quality of Experience
The boat was nice the crew was fun
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine Tasting & Lunch at a Portuguese Quinta
Wine Tasting & Lunch at a Portuguese Quinta
Portugal

This was wine tasting in Algarve. There was no lunch included. The guide was ok. He was knowledgeable but the wines we tried were low end and well it wasnt great at all . Was lunch supposed to be included?

Quality of Experience
The wines were meh confused about the lunch since it wasn’t included
Food
There was no food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
This wine tasting was nothing like the one we had with Rui
Transport
We drove ourselves
 Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Portugal

This was fun and the food was good

Quality of Experience
The guide was great and the food was too
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
I like walking
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Sep 01, 2022

Hi Christy, thank you so much for your kind words, it was a pleasure to create this experience for you in Portugal and I am thrilled Lee and you enjoyed it. The location of each activity is always in the travel documents but we will make sure it is well pointed out. The lunch at the Quinta was not available and we agreed to only do the wine tour, but next time you visit Portugal I will make sure you enjoy the Quinta too :) All my best, Marta