Profile photo for Marta Trzeciakowska
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active 11 hours ago

Marta Trzeciakowska

From a very young age, I have grown up in an international environment since my parents moved to Spain from Poland. This meant that every year we traveled across Europe to visit our family and friends, discovering along the way numerous cultures and magical places: from the biggest cities to the smallest villages. In all of them, I have learned that the only way to get the most out of a destination is to dedicate time to the small details that make the trip unforgettable.

Further on I decided to move across the ocean to the US and stayed for some time in Virginia, where I learned that I was not the only one obsessed with the Spanish culture. All of these experiences made me realize that the world is just waiting to be explored and that the best way to start is to focus on close-by places. This made me travel all across Spain, Portugal, and the north of Africa, with some trips to other parts of Europe, to gather all my knowledge and prepare incredible experiences for other travelers.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Unique trips and custom-made itineraries based on local experiences and the culture of Spain and Portugal."

How did you get involved in travel?

"Since Spain is such an interesting country, friends and family wanted to visit us and get to know this place that I fell in love with and where I decided to stay forever. Since then I have transferred my skills and knowledge to the world of tourism, to offer all travelers the opportunity to create once in a lifetime memories."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I have still in my mind the first time I entered the Mosque of Cordoba. It was a hot mid-spring day and it was still early so almost no people were waiting in line. When I entered I felt the coolness of the interior and when my eyes got used to the change of lighting I was stunned by the grandiose hall, full of colorful arches that reminded me of a labyrinth. I heard the echoes of people's whispers and felt transported back in time as well as grateful for being able to observe such a masterpiece."

Marta is part of the following groups: the Azores Travel Agents, Portugal Travel Agents, Spain Travel Agents
Play on the beaches of the Algarve in Portugal
Family Vacation to Spain & Portugal - 14 Days

This two-week family vacation combines Portugal's beaches, palaces, and flavors with Spain's flamenco, royalty, and parks. Start your trip in Portugal with highlights kids and adults love, including playing on the beach, sailing in the ocean, and spotting dolphins. Then, make your way to Spain, where unique cultural experiences await, including sites like Granada's Alhambra, Madrid's Plaza Mayor, and Seville's Royal Alcázar.

Sunset over Lisbon's Alfama district
Epic Portugal: Lisbon to the Algarve - 15 Days

From historic cities to rural countryside and rugged coastlines, you'll delve deep into Portugal on this 15-day grand tour. Hop between Lisbon and Porto for cosmopolitan cuisine and countless cultural highlights, then head south through Coimbra, Évora, and the Alentejo plains to reach the wild Algarve coast—where a relaxing itinerary of boat trips and beach time awaits.

Beach in Albufeira
Portugal Road Trip: Porto, Lisbon & the Algarve - 15 Days

Road trip through some of the most beautiful places in Portugal on this exciting 15-day tour. As soon as you land in Lisbon, drive north to gorgeous Porto and the Douro Valley. Spend multiple days enjoying wine and taking in riverside views. Then, go back to the capital for guided tours and side trips to castles and beaches. Finish in the wild Algarve, whose coastline is flanked by tall sea cliffs and impressive caves.

Views over Odeceixe Beach near Aljezur
Self-Drive Southern Portugal: Lisbon, Alcácer do Sal, Aljezur & Lagos - 6 Days

Explore southwestern Portugal's stunning scenery on this six-day road trip from Lisbon to Lagos at your own pace. Set out from the capital to wind your way south through a land of sweeping beaches, whitewashed towns, and unspoiled countryside. Along the way, you'll stand at the edge of mainland Europe at Cabo da Roca, cross the Sado Estuary by ferry, and explore the wild beauty of Costa Vicentina National Park.

Praia da Rainha beach in Cascais
Portugal Scenic Coastal Hike: Cascais, Azóia, Colares & Sintra - 8 Days

Discover Portugal's wild side on this eight-day coastal hiking trip. The adventure will begin with a food tour of Lisbon and a rest day in the gorgeous beach town of Cascais. Spend the next four days trekking around the expansive Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, passing through forests, dunes, coastal towns, and hilltop sanctuaries. End with some downtime in Sintra, a charming village known for its impressive palaces and castles.

Recent trip reviews for Marta

Marta was an amazing agent to work with. Very...
Spain | Aug 28 - Sep 5, 2022

Helen
Helen L.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Feb 27, 2023

Marta was an amazing agent to work with. Very responsive, pays attention to detail, and did a great job taking into consideration our preferences and constraints. Have highly recommended KimKim to our friends and family because of Marta's excellent work. read more

Marta was an amazing agent to work with. Very responsive, pays attention to detail, and did a great job taking into consideration our preferences and constraints. Have highly recommended KimKim to our friends and family because of Marta's excellent work.

Hotel Reviews
7 Islas Hotel
Madrid

The breakfast that was included was amazing!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Puebloastur Eco-Resort Wellness & Spa
Cofiño, Parres

Gorgeous hotel and spa set in a very beautiful part of Spain. Great food too, although pricey. Wished we could have stayed longer.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Feb 28, 2023

Hi Helen, thank you for submitting your review! It was a pleasure to prepare a trip to Portugal and Spain for both of you. I hope you enjoyed all the activities and that you discovered new places on your road trip that will inspire you to come back. Let me know if I can be oh help in the future. All my best, Marta

KimKim Exceeds all Expectations
Spain | Dec 25 - Jan 3, 2023

David
David C.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2023

We admittedly were nervous entering our first experience with KimKim, not knowing whether the scheduled drivers and guides actually show up, what would the tours really be like, what about the hotels, would the restaurant reservations actually be reserved? Not to worry! Everything went exactly as scheduled, all drivers and guides were exceptional, the hotels were great (one spectacular), and the food astounding., and Marta was there every step of the way. The overall experience could not be... read more

We admittedly were nervous entering our first experience with KimKim, not knowing whether the scheduled drivers and guides actually show up, what would the tours really be like, what about the hotels, would the restaurant reservations actually be reserved? Not to worry! Everything went exactly as scheduled, all drivers and guides were exceptional, the hotels were great (one spectacular), and the food astounding., and Marta was there every step of the way. The overall experience could not be better. PS: We want especially to thank Marta for somehow getting us a New Year's eve reservation at José María after we had failed. It was a truly spectacular culinary experience. Marta is remarkable! Thank you.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Rector
Salamanca

This is a very small, boutique hotel is a perfect location related to the historic heart of Salamanca. The service was personalized and exceptional. The rooms were beautiful and well-appointed. We were greeted with champaign and some special treat every night. This is one of the best hotels we have experienced anywhere we have travelled. We cannot recommend it too highly.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful throughout; with very classy art and decoration.
Location
Staff
Carried bags to room before we knew they were gone. Nothing they would not do to be helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Simply perfect!
Hotel Palacio de Valderrábanos
Ávila

Perfectly located right next to the Cathedral in the heart of the old city. Nothing fancy, but very pleasant.

Authenticity & Character
In historic structure well repurposed.
Location
Could not be better located.
Staff
Professional and accommodating. Expect to carry your own luggage.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel San Antonio El Real
Segovia

We initially thought that the hotel was badly placed, outside the walls of the old city. It turned out to be a perfect location to follow the Roman aqueduct into town. For those with cars, it actually has a parking lot, which you will not find in the city center.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Expect to carry your own luggage. Facility with English was helpful. Accommodating in every way.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nothing special, but pleasant.
Hotel Madrid Alameda Aeropuerto, Affiliated by Meliá
Madrid

Much higher quality, more pleasant and less generic than your average airport hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
10 minutes to the terminal. In a neighborhood of apartment residences.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Porto

This was the highpoint of our two weeks in Iberia. Coming from California wine country, BUT already hooked on Duoro red wines, we were not prepared for the steep hillsides and rugged beauty of the river. Second, the specific driver, Rui, was remarkable: Personable, knowledgeable, and responsive. He specifically approved of the choice of Quintos de S. Tiago in Mesâo Frio, which on the outside is a dump that no-one would pull off and visit on their own--burned out buildings, junky driveway, humblest of houses. But, upon entering the house through an open-hearth kitchen, we knew we were in for something special. The food, the wine, the atmosphere, and the host made this the Quinta an unforgettable experience. Keep using Rui and this particular Quinta.

Quality of Experience
It rained all day, and we didn't care. Even the river cruise was perfect.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everything you could want in a driver--and more. He really opened up after he became familiar with us.
Transport
Guided Visit of Salamanca
Spain

Our guide met us in a timely manner at the hotel and walked us through the University and Cathedral and associated areas. She was delightful, but overly detailed about things that interested her and not necessarily sensitive to whether or not it interested us. She was particularly absorbed with esoteric marginalia about the university. Eventually, after the tour was 30 minutes longer than scheduled, we (gently, I hope) asked her if we could have the opportunity to explore on our own.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Didn't like: Driver knew very little about stops along the way.
Guided Visit of Ávila
Spain

With certificates in tourism and theology, our guide provided the perfect introduction to Avila and its two saints--Teresa and Juan de la Cruz. He quickly picked up our interest in them and shaped the tour and his message to our interests. For instance, at the chapel built in the room where Teresa probably was born, he emphasized the holiness of the space, not the art of the chapel, and he asked if we wanted some time just to sit in prayer and contemplation; we did. He also recommended the monastery where Teresa had trained and lived, and we found it to be a deeply moving experience. I was in the museum business for 40 years, and I deeply appreciated the simple presentations, the unprotected access to the "things," and the freedom to explore on our own time. Our guide reflected that receptive and trusting attitude and helped us discover meaning and treasures beyond the formal tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The tour guide provided the perfect introduction and shaped it to our obvious interests as we went. He was responsive and suggestive, with great integrity.
Transport
Privately Guided Visit of Segovia
Spain

This was the most traditional tour of the trip. The handed us ear plugs, spoke into a microphone, and largely led with her back to us. She would have fit as a tour guide in San Francisco. At the same time, she provided a marvelous orientation to the city, not too detailed, but with enough off the wall items--like the first book published in Spanish--to make it fascinating. A special commendation: When she informed us that the Cathedral was closed New Year's Eve (the day of our tour) and New Year's Day, we noted that January 1st was a Sunday, she called a friend to check on service times, which we attended the next day. That is the kind of personal responsiveness you would seldom receive on a tour in the United States. She also helped us plan our walking for the next day. We are grateful for her tour and assistance.

Quality of Experience
There is so very, very much packed into this small city.
Quality of Experience
There is so very, very much packed into this small city.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transport
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Jan 09, 2023

Hi David, I am in awe after reading your review. It was a true pleasure to be your specialist and an introduction to Kimkim for all of you. I am very happy to hear you enjoyed the journey, from Portugal through Castille and Madrid. Your feedback will help us continue creating unique trips for future travelers. If you need help with future endeavors in Portugal or Spain, you have my contact. Warmest regards, Marta

Overall it was a great experience traveling w...
Portugal | Dec 29 - Jan 4, 2023

S
Shital P.
Tarpon Springs, FL | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2023

Overall it was a great experience traveling with KimKim as our tour company and Marta was absolutely great. Loved all the communication tools and apps the company uses - very user friendly and easy access to the tour guides.
The only thing I would mention is to include more detailed explanation of the tour itself for example what exactly is included in the tour so that the client knows how to ask for customization.
Also please make note that the lady driver that took us from Porto to... read more

Overall it was a great experience traveling with KimKim as our tour company and Marta was absolutely great. Loved all the communication tools and apps the company uses - very user friendly and easy access to the tour guides.
The only thing I would mention is to include more detailed explanation of the tour itself for example what exactly is included in the tour so that the client knows how to ask for customization.
Also please make note that the lady driver that took us from Porto to Lisbon did not speak much English and we did not find her to be a safe driver. The ride was rough with her.
Thank you 🙏🏼

Hotel Review
Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa – A Leading hotel of the world
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bathrooms need much improvement. The water from the shower went to the floors because there is not enough barrier
Activity Reviews
Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Porto
Vintage Car Tour of Porto
Porto
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon
Private Day Excursion to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Lisbon
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Jan 09, 2023

Hi Shital, it was a great pleasure to organize this anniversary trip to Portugal for the both of you. I am happy to hear you enjoyed your Winter adventure here with us. On the other hand, I will speak with the driver about your comment above, to make sure it does not repeat. Let me know if you visit Spain or Portugal in the future and I will do my best to prepare a new experience for you :) All my best, Marta

Our trip to Portugal over the wintertime was ...
Portugal | Dec 19 - Dec 29, 2022

Preethi
Preethi K.
Singapore | Reviewed on Jan 01, 2023

Our trip to Portugal over the wintertime was fabulous and we are back with some wonderful memories and a good understanding of Portugal.
With exaggeration, Our family loved every minute of it. The accommodation suited as very well as with the entire itinerary . Our guides throughout were fabulous and were very insightful.
The local trips to Douro Valley, Sintra and rural Algarve will leave us with long lasting memories of the regions I would highly recommend this to other... read more

Our trip to Portugal over the wintertime was fabulous and we are back with some wonderful memories and a good understanding of Portugal.
With exaggeration, Our family loved every minute of it. The accommodation suited as very well as with the entire itinerary . Our guides throughout were fabulous and were very insightful.
The local trips to Douro Valley, Sintra and rural Algarve will leave us with long lasting memories of the regions I would highly recommend this to other tourists.

Once again, thank you very much to Marta for the planning and for being with us through the journey. I will most definitely return for another trip with you.

Hotel Review
Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments
Porto

The suites were beautiful and quaint. It’s location was fabulous and we thought it was a charming stay at Porto. The staff were so helpful when we hadn’t received our bags and they kindly obliged with late checkouts due to this.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Jan 02, 2023

Hi Preethi, thank you for your kind words and this wonderful insight about your time in Portugal. I am very glad you enjoyed this Winter trip and I hope we can stay in touch for your future adventures in Spain and Portugal. I wish you a lovely beginning of 2023 with your family. All my best, Marta

We really enjoyed the pace and activities on ...
Spain | Dec 18 - Dec 27, 2022

Michelle
Michelle F.
Carmichael, CA | Reviewed on Dec 29, 2022

We really enjoyed the pace and activities on our trip. The kids were not looking forward to the walking tour in Spain but Beatriz made it so much fun. The cooking class in Seville was wonderful too. So much fun for the whole family. The train rides to each destination was fun too. Between Seville and Granda we hiked/walked Caminito Del Rey. The kids really enjoyed this adventure. Each place we visited had something unique and memorable. read more

We really enjoyed the pace and activities on our trip. The kids were not looking forward to the walking tour in Spain but Beatriz made it so much fun. The cooking class in Seville was wonderful too. So much fun for the whole family. The train rides to each destination was fun too. Between Seville and Granda we hiked/walked Caminito Del Rey. The kids really enjoyed this adventure. Each place we visited had something unique and memorable.

Hotel Reviews
Dear Hotel Madrid
Madrid

Great location in the city. The accommodations for a family of four were good. Great breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very professional and nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
Petit Palace Puerta de Triana
Seville

Seemed out dated. Rooms were small and had tile floors. Would recommend a small carpet by the bed. Bathrooms and rooms need makeovers. Breakfast was lacking. Staff were great and rooms seemed clean however.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Eurostars Puerta Real Hotel
Granada
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Madrid for Kids - Walking Tour with Activities & Snacks
Madrid

Beatriz is absolutely awesome! We had so much fun on this tour. We highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Flamenco Experience
Spain

Was fun to watch. Was one hour in length. We wish the couple would have danced more together as they spent a considerable amount of time dancing solo. Other than that, they put on a good show.

Family Tour of the Alhambra
Granada

Alberto was our guide. He is very knowledgeable about everything. This was a good thing and a bad thing as he would talk forever about tiny details. The kids got bored very quickly with our pace.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Traditional Andalusian Market Visit & Cooking Class
Seville

Such a fun thing to do as a family. We are vegetarian and they helped us make dishes without meat. The kids were awesome and tried everything they made!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Dec 30, 2022

Hi Michelle, I am thrilled to hear you had such a marvelous time in Spain with your family. It was my pleasure to work with you and organize this experience for your lot. I will make sure to inform Bea and the rest of our colleagues about this positive feedback, as we endeavor to offer only the best for our travelers. Wish you a lovely New Year! All my best, Marta

Family trip to Portugal - WOW, thanks to Marta Trzeciakows...
Portugal | Nov 20 - Nov 28, 2022

J
john f.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Nov 29, 2022

Our destination specialist, Marta Trzeciakowska was amazing and did a great job in planning; reacting to our itinerary change requests, responded to any questions in a timely manner (very responsive), and available to assist when last minute coordination was required to unavoidable weather implications.

During our 9-day trip to Portugal, 3 days in Porto and 6 days on the island of Madeira, each and every planned event was amazing - a lifetime of memories. The guides who hosted our family... read more

Our destination specialist, Marta Trzeciakowska was amazing and did a great job in planning; reacting to our itinerary change requests, responded to any questions in a timely manner (very responsive), and available to assist when last minute coordination was required to unavoidable weather implications.

During our 9-day trip to Portugal, 3 days in Porto and 6 days on the island of Madeira, each and every planned event was amazing - a lifetime of memories. The guides who hosted our family of 7 on walking tours with various food tastings, wine tasting events in both the Douro Valley and Madeira, site seeing across the beauty of Madeira that included 4-wheel off road fun and mystical/magical views ...just cannot compliment enough on their fun personalities, flexibility, joy and laughter enjoyed by all.

Ce'lia Dias led a tour of Porto while raining, and yet the rain did not matter due to sites seen, fun and vibrant personality and flexibility due to late weather arrival.

Nelson spent about 8 hours with our family (7) leading the site seeing, wine tasting and family hosted meal through Douro Valley. What a day and the intimate experience of a meal and sharing Port/wine with a local experience was amazing.

While on the island of Madeira, two amazing day trips were enjoyed in 4-wheel drive vehicles (adventuremadeira.com) to Porto Moniz, Seixal's lava pools and Cabo Girao glass balcony with 580+ mt drop.... aaaaaahhhhhhhh. Francisco was our tour guide for 2 days and was Amazing - 5-stars!!! He was accomodating to needs of family members, flexible, so much fun and entertaining while throughout the events which also included a 4-wheel journey that was exhilarating and yet safe.

I can go on and on, Jacqueline led the family on a walking tour of the city market which concluded with a cooking experience which included savory food, wine, a delicious dessert and a chef who was skilled, artistic, creative and led us through a mouth-watering experience of delicious dishes.

This was our second trip planned and coordinated by Kim Kim. The first was a 9-day trip through Greece. Both have left us with lifetime memories and I highly recommend the organization as a trust worthy group with fantastic specialists and Services.

Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Nov 29, 2022

John & family, this review leaves me almost speechless. It truly was a pleasure working with you to create this fantastic trip. Thank you so much for taking this much time to go into detail about all the services, we thrive to prepare the best experiences for you. I will be forwarding this message to all the guides you had during the trip. Let me know if you plan another amazing trip to Portugal or Spain in the future. Warmest regards, Marta :)

Pintxos, Basilicas, and Pilota - Oh My!
Spain | Oct 12 - Oct 23, 2022

Joel
Joel S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Nov 17, 2022

Very satisfying experience with our specialist Marta. She made sure to understand our goals and wishes for the trip, and was very accommodating in assisting us in fine tuning the itinerary so that we got the most of the trip. We were so happy with kimkim’s process that we’ve already scheduled another trip with them! Moreover, we have recommended kimkim to friends, and will continue to do so.

The kimkim process was simple yet thorough, and working with Marta was rewarding. We enjoyed the... read more

Very satisfying experience with our specialist Marta. She made sure to understand our goals and wishes for the trip, and was very accommodating in assisting us in fine tuning the itinerary so that we got the most of the trip. We were so happy with kimkim’s process that we’ve already scheduled another trip with them! Moreover, we have recommended kimkim to friends, and will continue to do so.

The kimkim process was simple yet thorough, and working with Marta was rewarding. We enjoyed the flexibility of being given suggestions, then identifying which components of the itinerary were most appealing. She helped us pick activities we might not have thought of on our own, and was great to communicate with during our time in country. If we had planned the entire trip ourselves, the amount of choices about what to do and where to stay would have been overwhelming. Using Marta, Espiritu, and kimkim, we had an excellent set of experiences and will look back fondly on this trip for many years to come.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel España Ramblas
Barcelona

The hotel itself is stunning in its preservation of historical detail. The beds and pillows were very good, supportive and comfortable without being too soft or too firm. The modern sinks and faucets can be a challenge, depending on your room. The auto shutoff was an irritant regardless. Breakfast was excellent, and in an absolutely beautiful space. The staff were attentive, but not oppressive, and seemed truly happy to be of service. One criticism would be the difficulty of vehicles getting to the hotel entrance -- taxis had the proper transponders to lower the bollards to access the street, while private drivers did not.

Authenticity & Character
One of the oldest hotels in Barcelona, and tastefully updated rooms without losing old world charm in the common areas.
Location
Central without being obnoxiously loud.
Staff
Friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfort and style.
NH Ciudad de Zaragoza
Zaragoza

This hotel was in a *perfect* location for exploring Old Town Zaragoza, enjoying views over the river (sunrises, sunsets, and fireworks at the close of the Festival de Pilar), and gave easy access to shopping, dining, transit, and major attractions. While the building lacked the historical appeal of other accommodations, the room itself was extremely comfortable, well appointed, and clean. We ate one dinner and two breakfasts at the hotel restaurant; the meals were good, but did not stand out as exceptional when compared to virtually any other meals we enjoyed in Spain. The staff were capable and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Authenticity and character are not what NH is known for. The hotel was nice.
Location
Perfect central location.
Staff
No problems to report. Bartender was friendly. Front desk staff were helpful. Breakfast staff was adequate, friendly but not always attentive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean and very comfortable.
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2022

Hi Joel, thank you for taking the time to submit the review. It was a pleasure to organize this trip for you and Natalie, and I am thrilled that you had a great time exploring the must-sees and other hidden spots in our beloved country. If you consider a trip to Portugal or Spain in the future, let me know and I will be happy to help. Have fun on your new adventure! Best, Marta

Exploring Portugal
Portugal | Oct 25 - Oct 31, 2022

M
Melody B.
Waitsfield, VT | Reviewed on Nov 02, 2022

Hi Marta, Thank you so much for our vacation. It was outstanding. Anne Lynne and I appreciated every detail, and wouldn’t change a thing. Everything flowed so smoothly, thanks to you, which is no small feat when traveling ! We enjoyed a perfect mix of nature, culture, history, art, hiking and exploring, food and wine, music and adventure. The iPhone app you provided was terrific, making communication and logistics seamless. Our guides informative, professional and really interesting. We... read more

Hi Marta, Thank you so much for our vacation. It was outstanding. Anne Lynne and I appreciated every detail, and wouldn’t change a thing. Everything flowed so smoothly, thanks to you, which is no small feat when traveling ! We enjoyed a perfect mix of nature, culture, history, art, hiking and exploring, food and wine, music and adventure. The iPhone app you provided was terrific, making communication and logistics seamless. Our guides informative, professional and really interesting. We will certainly use kimkim again and recommend it to friends and family too. Very best, Melody

Hotel Review
Vincci Baixa
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Central
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Portugal

Guide was perfect. Hike, picnic, history, nature excellent

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Nov 02, 2022

Hi Mel and Anne Lynne, thank you a million for taking the time to post the review. It was a pleasure to organize all the details for your trip, so you could enjoy the big array of experiences Portugal has to offer in the time you had there. I would be very happy to help you with future trips to Portugal and Spain, and I will make sure the guides know how much you enjoyed your time :) All my best, Marta

I can’t remember what Marta arranged or what ...
Spain | Oct 13 - Oct 27, 2022

A
Ann E.
Chico, CA | Reviewed on Oct 30, 2022

I can’t remember what Marta arranged or what I arranged so I will tell you our favorites with only one negative.
Cuenca - great tour with Daniel
Cartegena - we did not enjoy our time with
Gemma
Venice - great hotel Helen Berger, good bike tour, great restaurant Tagomago
Girona - excellent history & food tour with Gina
Huesca - amazing Castello de Corvinos
San Sebastián - excellent hotel Villa Favorita, excellent tour with Diego
read more

I can’t remember what Marta arranged or what I arranged so I will tell you our favorites with only one negative.
Cuenca - great tour with Daniel
Cartegena - we did not enjoy our time with
Gemma
Venice - great hotel Helen Berger, good bike tour, great restaurant Tagomago
Girona - excellent history & food tour with Gina
Huesca - amazing Castello de Corvinos
San Sebastián - excellent hotel Villa Favorita, excellent tour with Diego

Activity Reviews
San Sebastian Pintxo Experience
San Sebastián

This tour was cancelled for us prior to our trip but I would book it with Diego if we go back.

Hiking Cuervo River and Callejones de las Majadas
Cuenca

Daniel was a great guide. Nice to get out & walk. Went a little long.

Privately Guided Tour of Cartagena
Cartagena

Our guide seemed quite nervous & uncomfortable & had a hard time answering specific questions. We moved much slower than we wanted.

Hiking through Mount Galeras + Christmas Fort
Cartagena

We did not hike but took the boat which was fine. Same problems with the guide as the other tour.

Valencia Seightseeing Bike Tour
Valencia

Excellent guide, good speed of tour, good information, felt safe riding

Food & Market Tour
Girona

Our favorite. Gina was great & we did have a very compatible group. The places we stopped were diverse & were well prepared & awaiting us. Wouldn’t want to change a thing.

Guided Visit of San Sebastian
San Sebastián

Diego gave us an excellent tour of the city with lots of interesting information. We moved quickly which works best for us. Would love to go on another tour with him.

Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Nov 02, 2022

Hi Ann, thank you for the review of some of the activities of your trip. In your review, you mentioned Venice although it is Valencia you stayed in. During your trip, we were in touch and we received all good feedback so some of the facts you mention are new to me and I will forward all the comments to our local guides. I do hope we keep in contact for your future travel endeavors in Spain or Portugal :) Warm regards, Marta

Granada, Ronda, Seville & Cordoba
Spain | Sep 28 - Oct 5, 2022

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Gillian M.
Spain | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2022

Susan and I have had a wonderful time exploring Granada, Ronda, Seville and Cordoba, thanks to Martha's professional planning and organising of our trip.
Which place was our favourite? That is very difficult to say, as all four places held something special and are a 'must see'.
We loved the choice of hotels which were all in the perfect location for getting about to see all the sights. We took on some of your recommendations for where to eat which was very helpful.
The guided tours and... read more

Susan and I have had a wonderful time exploring Granada, Ronda, Seville and Cordoba, thanks to Martha's professional planning and organising of our trip.
Which place was our favourite? That is very difficult to say, as all four places held something special and are a 'must see'.
We loved the choice of hotels which were all in the perfect location for getting about to see all the sights. We took on some of your recommendations for where to eat which was very helpful.
The guided tours and guides were highly professional and knowledgeable. Without them, we wouldn't have come away from the trip with all the interesting information we received and I don't think a guide book can compete with having a very knowledgeable local guide. If I have to say something, we missed having a guided tour in Cordoba.
The tour taking us through the scented areas of Granada was so special and different and we love the scents we were given at the end - what a surprise!
Many thanks to Marta and Karenina who were there throughout our trip supporting us.
I would definitely recommend KimKim and travel with them again.
With all best wishes,
Gillian Mitchell

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Comfort Dauro 2
Granada

Good, clean place that covers the basics but the lack of regular receptionists was confusing. However, the bar people were super helpful, as was the general manager, who provided us with a picnic because we had to miss breakfast one day!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Access to public transport
Staff
Very nice once located
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super clean
Hotel Montelirio
Ronda

Beautiful hotel in style with the surroundings we'd come to visit. Incredible views from my bed of the gorge!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sacristia Santa Ana
Seville

A converted church with lovely features and atmosphere. We had a patio off our roo which was a real bonus. Breakfast was the best of all hotels as it wasn't your usual breakfast buffet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Visit of Granada Through Its Scents
Granada

I loved this tour. It was different and our guide was excellent and we were presented with a box of different scents.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens
Spain

This was an amazing tour - not to be missed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Spanish Cooking Experience
Granada

So much fun and our cookery teacher Rocio was so knowledgable about local produce and where to eat and shop. I will definitely try some of the recipes myself.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walking Tour of Ronda
Ronda

Our guide Jose Antonio was extremely knowledgeable about his home town. Beautiful place and so much to see. Spectacular views.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Visit of Seville
Seville

Teresa was our guide and she brought the history of the areas of Seville alive. She told and showed us so many little details we would never have found out ourselves. She is highly knowledgeable about her home city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Train Seville to Córdoba, Self Guided Visit of Córdoba, Train Córdoba to Seville
Spain

Cordoba is beautiful, but I think we missed quite a lot as this was a self guided tour, so I would definitely recommend a guided tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2022

Hi Gillian, thank you so much for taking the time to post this review and for your feedback which I will make sure to forward to our team of local guides, who were very happy to show you around Andalusia. I will contact the hotel to check about the reception schedules, as they never mentioned they have reduced staff at the moment. I am happy to help with your other adventures in Spain in the future! Best, Marta

Portugal is a MUST for your next European Holiday
Portugal | Sep 8 - Sep 19, 2022

Martha
Martha R.
San Antonio, TX | Reviewed on Sep 29, 2022

We could not be more pleased with the trip that Marta arranged for us to visit Portugal. From our time in Lisbon, our spectacular hike along the coast in the Sintra Region and our final days in Porto, we were consistently impressed with the high levels of service, the lovely accommodations and the ease of executing the trip as planned via the travel App. We were able to stay in touch with Marta the entire time and she was always available to connect with us if we had any questions. We... read more

We could not be more pleased with the trip that Marta arranged for us to visit Portugal. From our time in Lisbon, our spectacular hike along the coast in the Sintra Region and our final days in Porto, we were consistently impressed with the high levels of service, the lovely accommodations and the ease of executing the trip as planned via the travel App. We were able to stay in touch with Marta the entire time and she was always available to connect with us if we had any questions. We found the Tour group for our hike to be exceptionally kind and flexible. We had a possibility of poor weather and every day; the team was willing to reschedule pick up's and or modify our trek so we could avoid any issues. The GPS App for the treks was very easy to use and we were able to follow along the paths with confidence. We want to say a special thanks to Marta as she was EXTREMELY helpful to us as we had to delay our trip slightly. She graciously helped us to reschedule all of our plans and we could not have been more grateful for her patience. We have used KimKim in the past and we will absolutely use them for our next trip.

Hotel Reviews
Pestana Cidadela Cascais
Cascais

This property is sublime. The grounds are appointed with incredible exterior sculptures and tranquil courtyard. The room was lovely, extremely spacious and comfortable. The pool area was peaceful, and we were able to have a cocktail while lounging in the sun. FIVE STARS!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
A lovely stroll along the waterfront to the city center of Cascais
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arribas Sintra Hotel
Sintra

This hotel was perfect for Arribas. The POOL - OH MY GOODNESS! I have never seen a pool like this, enormous. The staff was so kind, and we appreciated all of the assistance during our stay.

Authenticity & Character
The POOL! You must swim, it is a surreal experience.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Sep 30, 2022

Hi Martha, thank you so much for this fantastic review and the time you put into it. It was a pleasure to prepare this experience for you and see how you enjoy it despite the change of dates. Portuguese countryside and natural parks as you say are a MUST and hiking through them is an adventure. Let me know when you plan a new excursion to Spain or Portugal and I will be happy to help. All my best, Marta

Child Friendly Trip
Portugal | Aug 27 - Sep 4, 2022

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Shailee V.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Sep 16, 2022

Marta and Karin were amazing to work with. They were patient, ultra responsive and accommodating. It was a relaxed trip with lots of time for us to explore on our own and at our pace, given that we were traveling with a 5 year old. All the excursions were well timed to beat the crowds and the hotels were very conveniently located. As vegetarians, Marta made it a point to let the hosts know and also made some nice recommendations for local vegetarian friendly spots.
This was our second time planning with KimKim and we'd certainly do it again.

Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Sep 19, 2022

Hi Shailee, thank you for taking the time to send us this feedback from your trip. It was a pleasure to organize a trip for your family that could be enjoyed by all of you. I hope we will be in touch for other trips :) All my best, Marta

Great Food and wine themed North Portugal tour
Portugal | Aug 27 - Sep 3, 2022

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jenny G.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Sep 11, 2022

We had a 7 day trip to North Portugal booked in June but due to personal circumstances had to change it to early September. Marta was very understanding and helped us reorganize all the bookings.
We started off in Porto and had a good introduction into the city - doing a food tour , followed by an e-bike tour. We got opportunity to view the city ourselves and had a lot of great recommendations on what to do/ and where to eat. We also got to do different things like go to the National park!... read more

We had a 7 day trip to North Portugal booked in June but due to personal circumstances had to change it to early September. Marta was very understanding and helped us reorganize all the bookings.
We started off in Porto and had a good introduction into the city - doing a food tour , followed by an e-bike tour. We got opportunity to view the city ourselves and had a lot of great recommendations on what to do/ and where to eat. We also got to do different things like go to the National park! The highlight of the trip was the trip to Douro valley where we stayed at a vineyard and did a few wine tastings around the different Quinta's. Thiago was a great guide taking us across the various quintas, with a boat ride and a celebratory drink at an awesome view point.

Hotel Reviews
Premium Porto Downtown
Porto

The hotel was clean and functional and close to a lot of restaurants. The breakfast had a wide spread and service was quite prompt.

Authenticity & Character
Apart from the food, not really sure there was character/authenticity to the hotel.
Location
Was good walking distance to most of the tourist spots
Staff
Very prompt service and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Quinta Da Timpeira
Lamego

The overall look and feel of the Quinta is that of a period property with heavy antique furniture. We had a bigger room as that was the only one available so had the option of twin or a double bed. The quinta had lovely grounds, with a garden and a swimming pool though we were never around long enough to enjoy the grounds as much. The dinner we had there was quite homely and had large portions.

Authenticity & Character
Had the charm of a period property
Location
The only way to get around was by car- which was arranged for us but would have been hard otherwise.
Staff
Attentive and willing to help
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms were clean but because of the heavy furniture and low ceiling it did feel very dark and dinghy in the evenings. Would have liked option of tea/coffee in the room.
OPOHotel Porto Aeroporto
Maia

For spending a night before our flight the next day morning - this hotel was perfect. Functional with all the basics and quite large rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great for the airport and they offered free shuttle.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

Claudia was a very enthusiastic and warm guide and made the tour really enjoyable. Not to mention all the food we tried was amazing and was nice to hear the stories behind them. loved that we got to try most of the city's famous dishes over the course of this tour and the company was great.

Quality of Experience
All the food options and the guide!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Claudia was really warm and followed up with recommendations and trip photos!
Get to know Porto by E-bike
Porto

Didnt know what to expect but was great! Apart from the first few minutes of fumbling around on how how to use the bike, the rest of actually biking was quite smooth. We covered a lot of ground and got to see some great views....and also catch in some exercise. An electric bike is probably the best way to see the city though I did get a sore backside due to all the pebbled roads!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Porto

We enjoyed the serenity of the national park and opportunity to do a bit of trek and bathe in the clear pool of water which was followed by a great lunch. The second half of the day had a walk through the village and a another mini trek to another waterfall with a further opportunity to swim. I was probably the least fit person of the group - but the guide made sure we went at a decent pace. Maybe two swims was not required as they were people in our group who were not keen on swimming and we could have done a viewing point instead.

Quality of Experience
The parts we liked - were opportunity to trek and swim and the food was good. There were also good breaks in between the drive which was helpful. Didnt enjoy as much the walk around the village
Food
The lunch served in the village was good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all our questions about the park as she had lived within the park herself.
Transport
The car was a bit old and since it was packed with 7 people with a good 3-4 hours on the road - not entirely comfortable for people with long legs.
Wine Cellar Guided Visit with Lunch
Douro Valley

This was the highlight of the trip - was a very relaxed experience of getting a tour of the process of wine making and getting an opportunity to taste quite a few of the wines at the quinta. Our guide Rui also made it really memorable.

Quality of Experience
The tour, wines and the setting was great.
Food
It was little light on the food as compared to the other places but still good!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Had some really good conversations with Rui.
Wine Experience in the Douro Valley & River Cruise
Douro Valley

Was a great day filled with a opportunity to taste and see a bit of behind the scenes of winemaking and wine tasting at one Quinta , followed by a set lunch paired with different wines at another. The post food coma stage was great time to do the river cruise down the Douro and we got whisked to another amazing view point for a further celebratory drink! Thiago was very informative and so pleasant to be around.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Sep 12, 2022

Hi Jenny, thank you so much for all this feedback! It was a great pleasure to prepare this vacation in Portugal for you both and I appreciate your words. The most important part for me is that in the end, you got to experience the best of Northern Portugal. If you visit Portugal or Spain again I will be happy to help. Best, Marta

Portugal Vacation
Portugal | Sep 3 - Sep 10, 2022

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Patrick M.
Newport, RI | Reviewed on Sep 11, 2022

Overall a great trip and your recommendations of places to visit and tour guides to use were excellent. Particularly liked the Duro Valley and Belman tours as the guides did a great job ensuring that we saw the best attractions without wasting time in long lines. Pickup and drop off at the airport and hotel was fairly seamless and our driver got us right to the baggage drop off before sending us on our way.

Would certainly utilize Kim Kim again on our next trip. So much time and energy... read more

Overall a great trip and your recommendations of places to visit and tour guides to use were excellent. Particularly liked the Duro Valley and Belman tours as the guides did a great job ensuring that we saw the best attractions without wasting time in long lines. Pickup and drop off at the airport and hotel was fairly seamless and our driver got us right to the baggage drop off before sending us on our way.

Would certainly utilize Kim Kim again on our next trip. So much time and energy is saved by having the private tours and destinations prearranged.

Thanks for all the assistance in making our Portugal trip a memorable one.

Activity Reviews
Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Porto

Fantastic views and Rui made the trip extra special with stops at Port tasting and lunch at locations off the tourist trail that were amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledge of the area, wines, and personality
Transport
Private Day Excursion to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Lisbon

Marta did a great job bringing us to the best locations to visit while still showing us the big attractions. Loved the lunch with locals and the knowledge Marta shared throughout the day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Sep 12, 2022

Hi Patrick, thank you for taking the time to write this kind words. I am very happy to see that you enjoyed the trip and had the chance to discover Portugal with us. It was a pleasure to prepare this experience for you. All my best, Marta

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

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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... read more

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
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
Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira
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
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
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
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
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 to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Lisbon

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
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
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
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 | Reviewed 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

Fabulous time in Portugal!!!
Portugal | Jul 22 - Jul 31, 2022

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CHRISTINE A.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2022

I know some people who plan trips on their own and feel travel agents don't add value. I have to say that Marta and Karin proved their worth as travel agents every step of the way. it was easy to message them during the planning process. They figured out pretty quickly what kind of hotels I liked. They provided a very nice mixture of activities (in city food and cultural tours, hikes, day trips to surrounding areas, kayaking etc.). Every detail of the trip was planned perfectly. Having... read more

I know some people who plan trips on their own and feel travel agents don't add value. I have to say that Marta and Karin proved their worth as travel agents every step of the way. it was easy to message them during the planning process. They figured out pretty quickly what kind of hotels I liked. They provided a very nice mixture of activities (in city food and cultural tours, hikes, day trips to surrounding areas, kayaking etc.). Every detail of the trip was planned perfectly. Having drivers already scheduled and ready to go saved us so much time and were hassle free. The app they used to store all of our travel plans was fabulous. During our trip, they were available by phone or by chat. Everything went off without a hitch. Our tour guide in Porto, Tommy, was entertaining, friendly and knowledgable. Our hiking guide Carlos, who to us to Peneda-Geres National Park was so knowledgable about nature. Bernardo our guide to our Sintra day hike was great! Ana-Luisa, our food and cultural tour guide in Madeira was fabulous too! Luis who led our kayaking snorkeling adventure was great too. Thanks for a fabulous trip. We can't wait to use you again when we travel to Spain!!!

Hotel Reviews
AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado
Lisbon

The location of this hotel is its finest attribute. This hotel is within walking distance to a ton of restaurants, outdoor cafes, shopping, the waterfront, the tram.......pretty much everything! The rooms were beautiful. My only issue is the rooms were on the small side but other than that, this is a lovely hotel. The staff and concierge were very helpful in finding restaurants or anything we needed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Fabulous!!! It is so close to many attractions and we really did not have to get in a cab to go where we wanted to go. We walked everywhere from this hotel
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Yeatman Hotel
Vila Nova de Gaia

This is a first rate hotel. We would go back again and take advantage of the World of Wine tour. We didn't have time this time around. The only issue with this hotel is it is about a 17 minute cab ride to most places. Ideally I like to stay in hotels where I can walk to restaurants and shopping. Other than that, it was fabulous. Also, net time we will definitely book their one Michelin star restaurant. Also I did not realize until we got there that this is a Relais & Chateaux property. Every detail of your stay is thought out and fabulous! I forgot to mention the breakfasts, which are included, were the bomb. Everything was delicious and plentiful. My favorite detail was the decorations they would put on top of the cup of cappuccino!

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful and spacious property. First class attention to all details of the stay.
Location
Beautiful views. Wish it were closer to town though
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Funchal, Madeira

What can I say other than it was like I died and went to heaven. This hotel is soooooooo gorgeous. They were also very accommodating at this hotel and very attentive to service. We had an early flight to Madeira so we arrived at our hotel around 9:30am. They sent us to have a fabulous breakfast by the pool while we were waiting for our room. They were able to get us in our room by 11am. They also let us have a late check out on our last day of 1:30pm. I know these sound like small things but when you only have two days in Madeira, you want to maximize. The entire facility was gorgeous. It is set on a cliffside over looking the ocean. The rooms weren't spacious but so gorgeously decorated. Lovely gifts were left in the room, like a travel journal, a beach bag and a water bottle. They had two pools, a salt water and a chlorine pool. They were both large and gorgeous. The vegetation on the property was gorgeous. They breakfasts, which were included were fab. They had plenty of outdoor shaded seating for breakfast and lunch. The William, which is a one Michelin star restaurant was top notch. There was a deck down by the ocean, which you need to take a long stair case to reach. That was absolutely a gorgeous place to just to lounge!~ and watch the ocean and listen to the surf. This is such a special place! I can't wait to return!

Authenticity & Character
This is a renovated mansion. They kept photos and details of a previous area. You definitely felt you were at a very special place.
Location
Set on a cliff overlooking the ocean with absolute gorgeous views!
Staff
Attention to every detail and sooooooo polite and lovely!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Perfection!
Lisbon Marriott Hotel
Lisbon

Perfect for our purpose. We had one last night in Lisbon and wanted to be super close to the airport to catch a 5 am flight in the morning. The only thing that just meh, was the restaurant. That is typical of Marriotts however. Anyway, this hotel was perfect if you need a place close to the airport and want a good night sleep.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to airport
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Porto Foodie Experience
Porto

We loved Sergio our tour guide. He was friendly, knowledgable and entertaining. It was a nice format so that we were able to chat with the other people in the small group. The wines we had were really good. My only criticism is that the food was just ok. The cheese and the sardine courses were good. The desserts/food they paired with the port were just meh. Some of the other courses, I plain old can't remember because they weren't memorable. In summary, the tour guide was great, the wine and port, really good and the food could be improved.

Quality of Experience
Food
Please improve the food that is paired with the port at the end.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sergio was funny, entertaining and knowledgable.
Private Guided Visit of Porto
Porto

Tommy Hogg reached out two days before the tour via What's app just to connect. He was easy to find at our meeting point because we were already connected on What's app. He was knowledgable and entertaining. He asked us a lot of questions to get us engaged with the subject matter and the tour. At the end of the tour, he helped us with directions for our next stop, a restaurant which was close by. I would highly recommend Tommy and the tour!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Porto

This was a lovely trip to add on to a City stay. Having a day trip to a national park day trip to be outside with nature was a nice contrast to restaurants, tours and shopping. Carlos was a great guide. He was very knowledgable about nature. Everything about the day went smoothly, including the picnic, which was a nice touch. Carlos found out we had never been to Spain, so he took a little extra time to drive over the border, so we could say we have been to Spain!

Quality of Experience
Hiking and being outdoors with nature. The hike was challenging enough but not overly so.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Carlos is just a very nice likeable and knowlegable guide!
Transport
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}}, Guided Visit of Coimbra
Portugal

This was a nice way to get from Porto to Lisbon and squeeze in a day trip to Coimbra too. The only glitch we had was the driver didn't really know the game plan as to where we should be dropped off and he didn't speak much English, which would have been ok, we were just thrown off because most of the other drivers were able to communicate well. Anyway, that was the only hiccup. Fabiana was a great tour guide and she also went out of her way to make sure we got reconnected with our driver as the tour was done. Coimbra is a university city and home to the country's most prestigious university. It was a nice bonus that Fabiana was a graduate of that University and she also is returning in the fall for her Master's degree. Coimbra is another picturesque city in Portugal! What is not to love! Fabiana was multi lingual (Portuguese, Spanish, English and I'm sure other languages). She was very knowledgeable! Thanks for the great tour!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fabiana receives 5 stars, the driver receives 3 for not knowing where we were supposed to go and not reaching out to the company for information.
Transport
The drive was fine but as stated above, it is important that the driver be sure about where to drop tourists off in Coimbra. He just dropped us off at a random gate and it was really hard to figure out where to go from there.
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal

This was a fabulous way to get around Lisbon. If you haven't been on a Tuk Tuk tour, it is essentially being driven around on a golf cart type vehicle. This is the perfect way to get around Lisbon to see the highlights. I love walking but Lisbon is pretty spread out and very hilly. Ines was our tour guide and was so friendly and knowledgable. I know the tram (cable car) is famous and really cool but I have to say it was super crowded, which doesn't seem like a good idea during COVID times. The Tuk tuk tour was still ourdoors/open air but it was just the three of us and our driver. They essentially followed the same route as the tram tour. This trip was definitely worth doing and I would recommend it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ines was great!
Transport
Loved the Tuk Tuk. It is perfect for the narrow and bumpy roads of Lisbon !
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Portugal

Sintra is a must see if you are in Lisbon. The car ride was only 35-40 minutes. You could do the bus tour to get up to the palace and the fortress but hiking was much more enjoyable and we really had great weather. The line to get into the palace was insanely long/crowded so we opted not to go inside. People were packed in like sardines. It was still well worth the trip to see everything from the outside however. Bernardo was knowledgable and guided everywhere so we didn't get lost. Hiking the stairs up to the fortress was a little scary. Once you make it to the top, the stairs back down are way less scary. People without guides didn't know there was a back staircase to get back down. Our guide was very helpful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Introducing Funchal - Food & Cultural Tour
Madeira

We had only a few days in Madeira and this tour really hit all the food and cultural highlights. It was a small group and a nice way to meet tourists from all over the world. It is essentially a walking tour throughout Funchal with several stops at restaurants and cafes along the way. The quality of the food was great. Ana Luisa, our guide was very welcoming, knowledgable and fun. She was multi lingual also able to switch from English to German to Spanish. Don't eat much before you go on this tour because you will be absolutely full by the end!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Garajau Nature Reserve: Kayaking, Snorkeling & Cliff Diving (optional)
Portugal

The description of this made it sound like we were going somewhere remote. It actually started from a hotel water front. This was fine with us however because our hotel did not have this option. This was a fun activity and my first time kayaking. The guide was great and I felt safe. Going out was easy because we were with the current. Save you energy for the way back against the current. The water was a little too rough to snorkel at the half way point (which was a more remote location)so we snorkeled close to the hotel when we returned. It was still lovely and the guide was very smart to be safe.

Quality of Experience
Super fun, out in nature
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Luis was great and entertaining and he kept us safe
Transport
Driver who picked us up and dropped us off was great
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Aug 09, 2022

Hi Christine, thank you for your kind words and this wonderful insight about your time in Portugal. I am very glad you enjoyed the trip and I hope we can stay in touch for your future adventures in Spain and Portugal. All my best, Marta

Marta, an amazing guide that goes above and beyond.
Spain | May 28 - Jun 9, 2022

russalle
russalle a.
Wilkinsburg, PA | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2022

Marta was amazing. Not only did she help me plan my Spain trip, but she also jumped in when I asked for help last minute on my Portugal trip. She checked in with me daily, even on the weekends to make sure everything was great. I made a switch during my trip to see Toledo and she offered to pay for my train tickets and helped with ideas of places to see and eat while there.

The attention to detail she sent was amazing. Not only that, but she made sure I had all my documents way in... read more

Marta was amazing. Not only did she help me plan my Spain trip, but she also jumped in when I asked for help last minute on my Portugal trip. She checked in with me daily, even on the weekends to make sure everything was great. I made a switch during my trip to see Toledo and she offered to pay for my train tickets and helped with ideas of places to see and eat while there.

The attention to detail she sent was amazing. Not only that, but she made sure I had all my documents way in advance. If I did add anything to the itinerary, she would make sure to update my app to show this information for that day and add any documents I needed for the event.

Marta went above and beyond by making dinner reservations, calling my guides the day my taxi took a wrong turn to ask them to hold a few minutes for me before starting the tour.

I had a few stops with a family and she went so far and above the call of a tour guide by translating a medical issue from English to Spanish to help them with the pharmacy to get the care their child needed.

Marta also sent me Spanish and Portuguese words to help me while in each country. She was amazing! Please go through her should you ever travel to these two countries. I can’t say enough about her and the way she made sure I had the best experience.

Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Jul 21, 2022

Hi Russalle, thank you so much for your kind words! It has been a pleasure to organize this trip for you and help out with the addition of Portugal too, it is thrilling to hear that you enjoyed every day and each experience while in country, and I hope I can be of help in future trips. All my best, Marta

Amazing Family Trip to Spain
Spain | Jun 20 - Jul 2, 2022

M
MIchele N.
Lafayette, LA | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2022

Our family had an amazing trip to Spain! It was so well organized and everything went very smoothly. We have never had a travel agent plan a trip and I am so glad we did. It will be hard to travel any other way especially for a long trip in another country. I really felt like I was on vacation as all of the details of planning were taken care of and the itinerary was easily referenced in the app. All of our transportation and transfers were prearranged which was so helpful since we were a... read more

Our family had an amazing trip to Spain! It was so well organized and everything went very smoothly. We have never had a travel agent plan a trip and I am so glad we did. It will be hard to travel any other way especially for a long trip in another country. I really felt like I was on vacation as all of the details of planning were taken care of and the itinerary was easily referenced in the app. All of our transportation and transfers were prearranged which was so helpful since we were a party of 5. Our rooms were always very close to one another which was so helpful for our family. We are a family of 7 and have always struggled with getting adjacent rooms. All of our hotels were in great locations to see the cities. The breakfasts were a real help to get us out in the mornings. The guides were really fantastic! I wasn’t sure how it would be to have a guide accompanying us for half a day or more. They were so kind and accommodating and gave us our family time without being overly intrusive yet they were so knowledgeable and really gave us a great tour.
Everything in this trip was just perfect! Having Marta from kimkim available to us by phone was so reassuring. We called a few times with questions and she was always so kind and helpful. This trip will be a highlight of our family’s vacations. Thank you Marta! Thank you Kimkim!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Cortezo
Madrid
Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy to walk to sites or metro
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Acta Splendid
Barcelona
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palacio de Santa Inés Hotel
Granada
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Petit Palace Marqués Santa Ana
Seville
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Rector
Salamanca

This hotel was the best of our trip. It is beautifully furnished and spacious. The staff went above and beyond to welcome and assist us!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Every member that we encountered was so welcoming and helpful. Really one of the best experiences in a hotel ever!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beautifully appointed rooms, wonderful bedding, spacious bathrooms and amazing hospitality! This is a top notch hotel!
Activity Reviews
Private Tapas Experience in Madrid
Madrid

This was a great experience. The guides were friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Visit of Madrid: History, Culture & Architecture of the Capital of Spain
Madrid
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hector was very knowledgeable and friendly. Great tour!
Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Roman Tarragona and Sitges Fishing Village Day Trip
Barcelona

While our guide was wonderful we had asked to go to the beach as well as your Taragona. In retrospect I would have skipped time in the beach. I was surprised that there were no bathrooms or changing stalls. We had to change in the van.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens
Spain

Loved this tour!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hiking Excursion in the Andalusia Countryside
Spain

This was a great get away from the city! Our guide Michael was a true outdoorsman and was knowledgeable and fun. Realize that to get to the mountains there are many winding and corkscrew roads. It was worth it for us as the views and experience on the mountains and in the small white villages was awesome. If you are very sensitive to motion sickness be aware and maybe tell your driver as there may be alternative routes.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tapas & Flamenco Experience
Seville
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Visit of Seville
Seville
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Teresa had some cards that she brought with the royal lineage that was very helpful!
Guided Visit of Salamanca
Spain
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2022

Hi Michele, thank you for your feedback and the time to write this review. We really appreaciate the insight into all the activities from your personal experience. I loved working on this trip with you and I am happy to hear you enjoyed it. I hope our paths will cross again when planning your next trip to Spain or Portugal.

Family Time in Lisbon
Portugal | Jun 26 - Jul 1, 2022

Martha
Martha R.
Quincy, IL | Reviewed on Jul 05, 2022

This was our first experience with KimKim.. Our local specialist Marta was superb! She was knowledgeable and utterly responsive, even on a Sunday afternoon when we contacted her because our flight to Lisbon was delayed. She also reached out to us during our time in Lisbon to ensure things were going well, something we very much appreciated.

We were grateful for Marta's recommendation of an outstandingly beautiful and relaxing Lisbon hotel (Torel Palace), her close coordination of many... read more

This was our first experience with KimKim.. Our local specialist Marta was superb! She was knowledgeable and utterly responsive, even on a Sunday afternoon when we contacted her because our flight to Lisbon was delayed. She also reached out to us during our time in Lisbon to ensure things were going well, something we very much appreciated.

We were grateful for Marta's recommendation of an outstandingly beautiful and relaxing Lisbon hotel (Torel Palace), her close coordination of many activities, and arrangements for an incredible guide/driver, Marta Sophia George David, for two amazing days of out-of-Lisbon tours--one to Obidos, Fatima, and seaside towns and the other to Sintra, Cascais, and Belem.

A word about our guide/driver: we cannot compliment her enough! A former journalist, Marta David has encyclopedic knowledge tempered by deep love of Portugal and the ability to speak to history and current events with deep insight. Her contextual passion touched our souls in an soul-expanding way. She also knew where to find the best gelato shops!

Based on our experience, we will use KimKim again and recommend it to others.

Hotel Review
Torel Palace
Lisbon

Torel Palace is an accessible retreat in the midst of Lisbon.

Authenticity & Character
Every part of this property is gorgeous! Beyond charming . . .
Location
The fact that we really could walk to various neighborhoods but nevertheless could retreat from the busyness in an extraordinarily beautiful place with some of the best views in the city!
Staff
So pleasant, helpful, caring, and accommodating!!!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bathroom was a bit cramped, but then what can you expect in a 1902 palace?
Activity Reviews
Sunset Sailing Cruise
Lisbon

Interesting and informative--but the cruise was crowded, uncomfortable, and cold.

Quality of Experience
The traditional boat was way too crowded!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
That's just it: we had been in Lisbon for our first time for less than two hours before the cruise began, and finding transportation (cab) back to our hotel after the cruise was difficult.
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal

A good overview.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pick-up at the hotel (again, this was our first time in Lisbon).
Evening of Fado
Lisbon

Great music; too lengthy an experience.

Quality of Experience
Music was great! Timing was slow. Food was okay but not great. Probably not the experience for first-time fado attendees.
Food
Cod (the specialty of the house) has bones and gristle in it.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our waiter literally disappeared!
Transport
Difficult to get to for newcomers to Lisbon. We tried to walk from the Torel Palace and ended up looking for a cab after getting hopelessly lost.
Cooking Class with Market Visit
Lisbon

A fun morning with an interesting an eclectic group!

Quality of Experience
A good experience, It would have been better if we'd been given copies (or received by email) the recipes we prepared.
Food
The lunch we prepared was great!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The cooking teacher was personable and a good cook--but she didn't offer many explanations about what she was doing or why,
Private Excursion to Fatima
Lisbon

Our guide Marta was exceptional.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Group Excursion to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Lisbon

Sintra is a must-visit. The castle in Old Sintra is incredible--a great self-tour. Our guide took us to a second palace/garden to tour in Sintra (not Pena Palace). It was breathtaking, but physically very, very challenging with steep, uneven cobblestone "steps" (or drop-offs). Lunch was at a local restaurant that was delightful! We loved visiting the westernmost point in mainland Europe; thought Cascais was interesting but little more than an overrated "mall" with a good gelato shop; did an Estoril drive-by, and were very grateful for an add-on, half-an-hour stop in Belem.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Jul 06, 2022

Hi Martha, thank you for taking the time to send us such a complete review and for your kind words. It was a pleasure to organize this trip to Lisbon for you and your family and I hope our paths meet again for your next adventures in Spain and Portugal. All my best, Marta.

All in all good experience.
Portugal | Jun 12 - Jun 17, 2022

R
Rebecca B.
League City, TX | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2022

All in all it was a good experience. The trip was all booked for me and all i needed to do was show up.
I liked the insider tips provided. read more

All in all it was a good experience. The trip was all booked for me and all i needed to do was show up.
I liked the insider tips provided.

Activity Reviews
Porto Foodie Experience
Porto

Very good tour guide. Knowledgeable and passionate. Good tour

Quality of Experience
Service
Food
The places we went to
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walking tour
Get to know Porto by E-bike
Porto

Too many people on the tour

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Ebike was not properly maintained. Seat too high for female rider
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal

Nice was to see Lisbon

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The lady driver was lovely however her English wasn’t good so I couldn’t understand her well
Transport
Sunset Sailing Cruise
Lisbon

Couldn’t go on this trip due to rain and winds

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Portugal

My personal guide Susana was fantastic.

Quality of Experience
Food
The guide cooked a Keto meal for me which was delicious
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2022

Hi Rebecca, thank you for taking the time to write the review. I am very happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Lisbon and I hope for better weather when you decide to visit Portugal again in the future. It was a pleasure to organize these activities for you and feel free to contact us for future adventures :)

The BEST of Portugal - Custom Land Tour
Portugal | May 25 - Jun 8, 2022

Russ
Russ K.
Santa Ana, CA | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2022

We couldn't be more pleased with the KimKim process. They set us up with Marta, a destination specialist for our planned location, Portugal. We gave Marta a general idea of where we wanted to go, for how long, and for what kind of budget. The next day, we had our first draft of an itinerary!! The KimKim app allowed us to comment on each hotel, each tour, etc., so we could pick away at it. In the end, and after only a few rounds, we had the perfect match! Marta stayed in touch with us up to... read more

We couldn't be more pleased with the KimKim process. They set us up with Marta, a destination specialist for our planned location, Portugal. We gave Marta a general idea of where we wanted to go, for how long, and for what kind of budget. The next day, we had our first draft of an itinerary!! The KimKim app allowed us to comment on each hotel, each tour, etc., so we could pick away at it. In the end, and after only a few rounds, we had the perfect match! Marta stayed in touch with us up to trip time, and even on WhatsApp during the trip. We had a couple of areas where we needed help, including setting up a Covid test on exit, and she was right there to help every step of the way. 5 stars is not enough!! Thank you, Marta!

Hotel Reviews
Premium Porto Downtown
Porto

Really nice, clean hotel, in a great location, within walking distance of most iconic sights.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Oslo Coimbra
Coimbra

Super helpful staff. Small room, but not a problem for one night.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel
Lisboa

Great location! Clean! Decent size room...small by American standards, though. Great staff!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Noble House
Evora

Very cool suites hotel. Tons of room! Location is great once there, but hard to get to by car.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Agua Hotels Vila Branca
Lagos

Very roomy apartment hotel. Tons of room! Location was pretty good. 20 min walk into old town center. Staff was nice, but not overly helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Star Inn Lisbon Aeroporto
Lisboa

Great airport hotel. We stayed here the night before our flight out, and it was an easy 5 minute walk from the hotel to the terminal!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance from Terminal!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Get to know Porto by E-bike
Porto

Great way to see Porto! And more of Porto than on a walking tour. Our guide was amazing, and followed up with her suggestions on where to eat!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Douro Valley Excursion with Wine & Olive Oil Tastings & River Cruise
Porto

This is a must do while in Porto. Small van experience with 8 other great people from all over the world. Our guide was friendly and knowledgable, and it was a perfect day of wine tasting and seeing the Douro Valley!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Óbidos
Portugal

This was fine, but our driver didn't speak english, so there was no conversation. Which is totally okay, but it just turned out to be a taxi ride, basically.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Porto Foodie Experience
Porto

We love to do food tours when we arrive into a city. This one was great. We had two guides, both knowledgable about the food and the city! We were a group of 8 and it was very comfortable. We loved it!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lisbon Guided Tour
Lisbon

Turned out, we were the only ones on this tour! So it was essentially a privately guided tour. Perfect for us. We saw many parts of the city, and learned much of the history of Lisbon. Highly recommended tour!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Evening of Fado
Lisbon

Great night! Food good. Service good. Entertainment good. What else could you ask for!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Group Excursion to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Lisbon

Had a tough time with this one. It was pouring rain in the morning, which didn't help, but regardless of the rain, the crowds and waiting lines at Sintra were ridiculous. We spent over 2 hours basically standing, moving 3-6 feet, standing again, etc. I would NOT recommend Sintra at all. On the contrary, I loved the rest of the tour. Cascais is an amazing place, and would have like to have spent much more time there. Lastly, the guide and bus driver were not aware that they needed to return us to our hotels, and basically left several travelers stranded, needing to Uber back to our hotels. Bad communication.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to Alentejo - Jeep Safari Through a Cork Fork & Visit to an Olive Oil Estate
Portugal

Our guide, Joanna, was great! Fun, bubbly, smart, and a great 4x4 driver! We loved this experience, primarily because of her!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine Tasting & Lunch at a Portuguese Quinta
Portugal

Loved this place! Family run and a beautiful location. Met some wonderful people from all over the world, and enjoyed a lovely lunch and wine outside.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Catamaran Cruise to Benagil & Carvoeiro
Portugal

My only comment on this one is that it wasn't long enough! I loved it. Great crew, great boat and beautiful scenery! I could have spent an entire day doing this!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2022

Hi Russ, thank you for your kind words and wonderful insight into the trip that we planned for your visit to Portugal. I am more than happy to see you enjoyed it and that you had fun throughout the whole journey. We are thrilled that you chose us and I hope our paths will cross again when planning your next adventure.

Portugal!
Portugal | May 28 - Jun 3, 2022

Ella
Ella D.
Bethpage, NY | Reviewed on Jun 06, 2022

We had a great time in Portugal! Marta was fantastic in helping us plan everything and was extremely responsive throughout our entire trip. The hotels she chose for us were in perfect locations in Lisbon and Lagos. The tours she booked were also great! We really enjoyed the walking tour of Lisbon with our guide Baptise and tuktuk tour with Claudio. In Lagos, the tour of Sagres was beautiful and highly recommended. I definitely will use this service for my next trips.

Thanks! read more

We had a great time in Portugal! Marta was fantastic in helping us plan everything and was extremely responsive throughout our entire trip. The hotels she chose for us were in perfect locations in Lisbon and Lagos. The tours she booked were also great! We really enjoyed the walking tour of Lisbon with our guide Baptise and tuktuk tour with Claudio. In Lagos, the tour of Sagres was beautiful and highly recommended. I definitely will use this service for my next trips.

Thanks!

Hotel Reviews
Casual Belle Epoque Lisboa
Lisbon

Great hotel in a perfect location!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Carvi Beach Hotel
Lagos

Can’t beat this location! Minutes walk from one of the nicest beaches in Lagos!

Activity Reviews
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal

Great tour to see harder to walk parts of Lisbon!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Claudio was great!
Transport
Group Excursion to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Lisbon

Kind of a let down, for 2 reasons: the weather which is obviously no one’s fault but the tour guide herself was not good! Not a pleasant experience being with her for over 9 hours. Also this tour isn’t a small group, it is a huge tour bus

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Reviewed on Jun 06, 2022

Ella and Lieza, thank you so much for taking the time to do a review. I am pleased to hear that you enjoyed your vacation in Portugal. It was my pleasure to help you plan this trip. Marta :)