Marina Courtaut

It was tricky for me to decide where to go and what to do when we decided to go to Lisbon and Madeira. I contacted three different travel speacialists and from the start Marina and Kimkim were easily the most proactive and helpful to me and straight away made me feek like they wanted to help and not just throw a "standard" itinerary at me. The personalisation and the platform used made a real difference and was so useful throughout the trip. Also, when I decided to cancel a couple of things it was no bother and everything was supported out promptly, whether by Marina or by someone else when Marina was not working. It made no difference that the company is based in the US and that Marina was based in Spain and that I am based in Madrid! It just all worked really smoothly. Thak you so much.

Hotel Reviews

The Cliff Bay

Funchal

Amazing hotel. Great view. Fabulous food. Faultless really.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Portugal Boutique Hotel

Lisbon

It was a decent hotel. The breakfast tables were tiny and the noise from all the night time clear up outside was not helpful if you left your windows open. Otherwise, really good location and nice staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Definitely do this. Really good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hike Madeira: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

Portugal

Great walk and amazing viws. Didnt need a guide but all the same it was helpful that we took a differenct route to most others who would hav ehad to have done a trip that went back the same way. Our guide had left a car at an alternative location the night before.

Evening of Fado

Lisbon

Really average food and felt very touristy. Not the best evening to be honest.

Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

Lovely guide and very informative.

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

It was quite good. Dont bother though if you don tlike queues. The palace was horrendously busy and this is low season.

Introducing Funchal - Food & Cultural Tour

Madeira

We did not do this trip in the end.

All of our guides were so knowledgeable and very personable. Made our trip so much more enjoyable.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Regina

Barcelona

Breakfast was amazing and service was topknotch!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

One Shot Tabakalera House

San Sebastian

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Exe Almada Porto

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Four Views Baia - Adults Only

Funchal, Madeira

Beautiful! Loved Madeira! Loved the hike and our guide was the best!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Barcelona & Gaudí; An Architecture Walk

Barcelona

Our guide was so friendly and helpful. Answered all of our questions. Went the extra mile.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were very impressed with KimKim service. The team's response was quick and answered our questions right away. Upon are arrival, with dinner reservation at Fada, which we truly enjoyed ,even with out much sleep. Our first city was Lisbon, and our guide Filipa was great she took us around the city, even though we had jet lag she kept our attention. Next day was a trip to Sintra, with our guide Paulo. That day it was pouring rain and windy, but we made the best of it. We felt very safe with Paulo, as he made the day very personal, by stopping at his wife cafe, called Bristol, for coffee and local pastry. After we visited the Pena Palace we drove towards Sintra Cascias Natural Park for some dramatic views of the coastal Cliffs, of Cabo de Roca. Then off to Cascias fishing town, and on the way we stopped again at this small place, where he knew the owner/chef and ordered some local food for us to taste. Paulo made that day very special to us. Next, we had a driver take us to Porto where we stayed Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel. It was in a great location next to the Douro River, in the historic section, with an outstanding breakfast. The following day it was very stormy, but Celia, our tour guide, was ready to go and so were we. She took us all around the historic section of UNESCO World Heritage to admire the Romanesque, Gothic, Neo classic monuments and Baroque to mention a few. The Lello bookshop was worth visiting, but tickets should be purchased ahead of time, to avoid the lines. After being soaked to the bones, we had a reservation for a wine tasting that evening and got to try different port, which we enjoyed. Next Day we headed off to wine tasting, in the Douro Valley to a privately owned winery. It was very relaxing sitting talking, with the owner, of the vineyard , tasting the Porto and pairing it with food, which was cooked on site. The following day we then flew to Sevilla, and had tickets for a Flamenco show that evening. We did have a little trouble finding the correct venue, as we didn't realize that there were more than one place to go,. However, we found it and glad we got to see the performance. Next day, Andres took us on a walking tour around the Sevilla Cathedral a 15th century Roman Catholic Church the home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Then we walked to the orange tree filled Santa Cruz neighborhood known, as the Jewish quarters with its narrow streets. We visited the Alcazar a monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage site. Following day we took a day trip to Cordoba and meet up with Isabel, for a walking tour, she was great. She took us to the breath taken Mezquita ( Mosque Cathedral of Cordoba) a pagan temple that was converted into a green mosque of the Ummayad caliphate, which later was converted into a Catholic Church. It was well worth the train ride, as it was magnificant to see. Again, walked around winding streets of the Jewish Quarters. In the historic neighborhood of the Cordoba Synagogue. Off again, onto the train, to our final destination Barcelona. Once there, we were on own, as everything was within walking distance. First, we went to Guell Park and is well worth visiting. We debated about buying tickets, for Casa Batillo, but at last minute we did and we were very glad, it was a very different experience and enjoyed every minute of it. Finally our last day of our trip, we had tickets ahead of time, for the Sagrada Familia. We spent most of the day there as it was amazing, something worth seeing. Our last hotel was in a great location, very good breakfast, but was bare bones, not like all the other hotels. However, we really enjoyed our trip and appreciate all the help Marina, Marta and the KimKim team provided. I would use KimKim again for my next trip. Sharon

Hotel Reviews

PortoBay Marquês

Lisbon

Great location and an amazing breakfast. The front desk staff was extremely helpful. I would stay there again the next time.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very helpful and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Andante Hotel

Barcelona

Location was great, breakfast very good, however the night staff not so friendly or helpful

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

H10 Casa de la Plata

Sevilla

Great location, breakfast good

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel & World Heritage Site

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Evening of Fado

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Day Excursion to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Spain

Paulo was Great! We really enjoyed being with him! I would recommend him anyday1

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very personal took time for us to make sure we enjoyed our day

Transport

Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra

Portugal

Not any fault of the driver, but the car company picked someone that has never been to Coimbra. He had no idea where to go. He did call back to his colllegaue to get some info, so he dropped us off at the University. Communication was a little troubling, but we managed. He dropped us off and we asked that he wait for us, as we just wanted to look around maybe take a few pictures and we would be right back. However, we could't find him anywhere, so had to make a few calls. We never got to see anything in Coimbra, so disappointing. I do not blame the driver as he was doing his job of driving us.

Quality of Experience

Driver should have some idea where to drop off people to walk around.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Privately Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

Celia was very good guide. Would recommend her again.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Gustavo was an excellent guide. We loved the views of the Vineyards from up above. He was patience when we wanted to stop for pictures. Again, would us chime again

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Flamenco Experience

Spain

We loved seeing the show

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guided Visit of Seville

Seville

Andreas was great answered all of our questions.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day trip to Córdoba

Seville

Isabel was great! So knowledgeable for suck a young lady. We would use her again.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We just completed a Spain/Portugal tour planned by Kimkim. What seemed like a sparse itinerary at first turned out to be one of the best trips we have taken. We had no issues with any of the arrangements, transportation, hotels and tours.

Our idea of a tour is not the types where the company picks you up in the morning and takes you to all the tourist spots and returns you to the hotel at the end of the day.

This tour felt like we were on our own and yet able to experience the locales and really learn about each. Place. The guides they use had great knowledge and enthusiasm. It felt like we were in a friend’s hometown who was showing us their favorite spots.

Marina was on point, efficient and responsive and the reason we chose Kimkim. Now that we have completed the tour, wow just wow. We will definitely use Kimkim again in future trips.

Steve and Amelia

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Astoria

Barcelona

Good location, close to many good restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

A we

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

One Shot Tabakalera House

San Sebastian

We actually stayed at the hotel Zenit Convento. Marina switched the hotels due to construction in the area for the original hotel. Only issue we had was with the room keys which were very spotty when trying to open the door. Amazing breakfast, best on the trip I. Terms of quality and selection.

Authenticity & Character

Modern clean design.

Location

Good location within walking distance of restaurants and shopping areas.

Staff

Very service oriented and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hesperia Bilbao

Bilbao

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Exe Almada Porto

Porto

Great staff, very helpful and friendly

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel

Lisboa

Quirky, charming hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Tapas Culinary Experience

Barcelona

Boris our guide was great, funny and charming.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Visit of Barcelona

Barcelona

Leona was great, her personality was genuine we connected well with her.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Montserrat & Penedès Region Wine Tasting

Barcelona

The tour was great and the one thing that detracted was the fog we experienced in Monserrat. Did not expect too much from the cava tour but that was fantastic!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion to the Basque Countryside: Meet the Traditions

San Sebastián

Diego was one of the best guides on the tour, we meshed really well, can honestly say that we have a new friend in Spain.

Quality of Experience

Got to see things you just don’t get to see on a regular tour. The sheep farm/cheese tour was amazing!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Foodie Experience in Porto

Porto

Marianne was great, we got to experience many of the foods on our wish list in a serving size that was not overwhelming, perfect.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Privately Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

Manuel has great local knowledge, this walking tour with the things he pointed out made the experience so much better than us aimlessly walking around.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Porto

Great way to se the Douro valley area with a mix of activities including a boat ride! We visited two wineries, I would have skipped the second large winery. The first smaller one was way better, we felt a little rushed and the owner who was so interesting and engaging had more to offer.

Quality of Experience

Food

Great local Portuguese fare , our type of food while traveling

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Miguel was great! Even gave a “free” tour to those who within earshot on the boat ride portion.

Transport

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Our guide’s Steve knowledge level is off the hook, with a delivery method that was more story telling than history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Day Excursion to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Spain

Paulo or guide was another we meshed with really well and now we have a friend in Portugal!

Quality of Experience

Got to see some real local spots, restaurant we went to is as local as it gets, just what we wanted.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The walking tours with Filipa and Celia were informative and fun. They both helped us see the numerous areas through a local and historical eyes. The day trip to Sintra etc.. with Nuno was wonderful. His personality made the trip very enjoyable. His knowledge of the area made each stop fascinating. The day trip with Paulo was again phenomenal. His personality and knowledge made the day so much fun. The trip with Rui to the Douro valley also was lovely. These driver/ tour guides have such a beautiful personality that makes the drives fly by and we learned so much about the history and importance of each place we visited.
The stop at the winery in Douro, WOW. Rafael brought the vineyard to life. His love of the vineyard and what he does was seen throughout the day. The food and wine was delicious and amazing, but again it was such a lovely experience due to Raphael,
As far as Marina, she was extremely professional. When there was a hiccup , the group made sure it was rectified quickly. The app was a wonderful way to communicate in a quick manner.