Best aspects of using Kimkim: the ease of planning and booking with Marisa, the operators we used, such as the drivers and tour guides - all fabulous, on time and totally professional. We thought all the hotels were great choices in prime locations. Loved all the included enormous breakfast buffets at the hotels as well.
Highlights of our activities were: Porto sunset cruise with tastings- loved the hosts, the boat, and scenery; farm dinner cooking experience with dinner; cave boat...
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Best aspects of using Kimkim: the ease of planning and booking with Marisa, the operators we used, such as the drivers and tour guides - all fabulous, on time and totally professional. We thought all the hotels were great choices in prime locations. Loved all the included enormous breakfast buffets at the hotels as well.
Highlights of our activities were: Porto sunset cruise with tastings- loved the hosts, the boat, and scenery; farm dinner cooking experience with dinner; cave boat tour at Ponte de Piedad. We loved the e-bike tour but it was a little scary going through the center of Cascais with pedestrians, traffic, wind/sand and biking on the elevated boardwalk- would not recommend for those not comfortable on bikes. Was expecting something more relaxing.
Marisa was thoughtful with the itinerary and allowed us to see a lot of the country with some fun activities along the way. For example, we loved having drivers take us through the Duoro Valley and our wine tasting and lunch at the winery. The tours were well timed for when we arrived in a city to give us the lay of the land. We could have perhaps planned a little less full days or more ‘days off’ here and there.
Overall we loved our experience and are grateful to Kimkim for lining it all up. We would definitely book another trip with them.
Hotel Reviews
Pousada Convento de Evora
Évora
Authenticity & Character
Very authentic and beautiful. Loved being in an actual convent. Breakfast area was lovely.
Location
Central with a beautiful Roman temple just outside.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room feels a bit dated but the beds were comfortable. A shower rather than just a tub would be nice.
Cascade Wellness Resort
Lagos
Ideal and tranquil location away from the fray, along the coast, with walking trails all along the cliffs, proximity to beaches, town, and unbelievable views. Staff was helpful and friendly and the breakfast buffet was unbelievable. Loved the spaciousness of our apartment, it was perfect for traveling with our two young adult daughters. We enjoyed the pool as well but wish we’d had more time for everything.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great beds, nice kitchen and great to have laundry in unit.
Authenticity & Character
We loved our apartment, suite-style rooms with a separate living area.
Location
Centrally located, easy for cars to drive to, and walking distance to most parts of Lisbon.
Staff
Very warm and welcoming
Cleanliness & Comfort
All good!
Hotel Cascais Miragem
Cascais
We loved this hotel and wish we had had more time here. The location was prime, with views of the ocean, we enjoyed great drinks at the bar, and the breakfast buffet and outdoor seating area were fantastic. The lobby is beautiful with a glass elevator, allowing you to see the amazing views on your ride up to your room.
Location
Right on the coast
Staff
Bellhops and front desk personnel were friendly and very helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bathroom was gorgeous with views of the ocean, very clean and spacious. The bedroom was generously sized with a huge bed. Best of all was the huge balcony. Again, wish we had had more time here.
Activity Reviews
Cascais-Sintra Exclusive E-Bike Adventure
Portugal
This ended up being a fun tour but I would not recommend it for inexperienced bikers. Juliano arrived late and led us off on a tour of the city, going through red lights, roundabouts, narrow ramps, and cobblestone city streets, weaving around pedestrians. We headed along the shore, with some very strong wind and then up a sketchy boardwalk. He should have been checking in with us. I was not very comfortable and we were relieved no one got hurt.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Embark on a Flavorful Cooking Class with a Meal at the Farm
Portugal
This was one of the highlights of the trip. The grounds were lovely and we received a tour before the class started. Chef Ines was a great instructor, communicator and chef. We loved the interactive nature of the activity, and learning how to make a couple local dishes. Best of all was enjoying dinner in the picture perfect setting with phenomenal views.
Quality of Experience
Chef Ines and the setting
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves
Portugal
The boat tour was incredible. We couldn’t believe how well the driver could get in and out of the caves and other tight areas. The scenery was amazing. The only downside is that we were told the wrong start time by Kimkim and so we lost out on ½ hour of the tour.
To Eat Suggestion: Luca´s Rooftop Restaurant
Portugal
Views, food and service. Top notch!! One of my best dinners of the trip.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Step Back in Time with a Private Guided Tour of Évora and the Bones Chapel!
Portugal
Joao was a fantastic guide who spoke great English. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Cathedral of Evora, the aqueduct, city, and the Chapel of the Bones. Definitely worth seeing!! So glad we spent a couple nights in Evora.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Joao was informative and personable.
Scenic Group Boat Voyage along the Douro River
Portugal
This boat cruise was okay. They arrived late, and therefore our trip left late and yet we ended ‘on time.’ The scenery was nice but nothing spectacular and my opinion is that seeing the valley from the road was better. We were served champagne and trail mix. I would probably skip this one.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Driver, Rafael, was a great driver and very courteous.
Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service
Portugal
Delicious lunch: very elegant and upscale. The wine flowed- maybe too much! - and we were grateful to have a driver for the way home. The valley is so beautiful and we were really glad to have spent the day seeing it.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Two-Hour Private River Cruise in the Picturesque city of Porto
Porto
Ivo began our evening with a short driving tour of Foz Do Duoro. The sunset boat cruise was stunning, with the boat to ourselves and a generous port tasting on the top deck. We loved our hostess, Karina, she could not have been sweeter. Both she and Ivo spoke fantastic English and were very personable.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Porto
Loved our tour. Andres was awesome. It was an in-depth glimpse of the city with the perspective of how different ethnic groups were treated in Porto. We saw so much of the city and learned a lot of history. He also shared lots of food recommendations with us.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Portugal
We loved seeing the Pena Palace, the Cabo da Roca and Cascais. Carlos was a fabulous driver and gave us a great tour and service. Also is a very interesting person with a lot of knowledge about Portugal.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Portugal
Fado was pretty good, not sure I’d do it again if the meal were a part of it. I’d prefer to only see the music and skip the dinner.
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings
Lisbon
Margarita was super knowledgable and friendly. We felt that we saw a good portion of Lisbon and loved the Alfama area and its character. Was great to have a private tour for just our family.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
On time, trustworthy, safe drivers, friendly and knowledgeable.
Transport
We loved our drivers: Rafael, Carlos, Ivo and Ricardo. Comfortable car too and held all our luggage.
Local specialist: Marisa Agulhas