Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

4.9
Based on 608 ratings
Read 608 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Portugal on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

How Does Kimkim justify the 100% Markup it Charges?
Portugal | Jul 1 - Jul 10, 2025

K
Kiran G.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025
My wife booked this trip and was really happy working with Tiago on the planning. Where I was not happy is with the price. I am a well travelled person and used to planning my own trips but since we were short on time and my wife had read the Kimkim reviews I let her go ahead and make the booking with Tiago. I think it is well established that Kimkim does not offer any pricing transparency. This should be a big red flag from the beginning. I don't mind paying a markup for the service they... Read more

My wife booked this trip and was really happy working with Tiago on the planning. Where I was not happy is with the price. I am a well travelled person and used to planning my own trips but since we were short on time and my wife had read the Kimkim reviews I let her go ahead and make the booking with Tiago.

I think it is well established that Kimkim does not offer any pricing transparency. This should be a big red flag from the beginning. I don't mind paying a markup for the service they are offering but I want to know what that markup is.

After getting the receipts from our hotels and talking to the vendors for the activities Tiago planned for us I estimated that half the cost of the trip was going to Kimkim which is insane. The positives are that Tiago's recommendations were really good, he responded quickly to our messages on the trip and detailed travel booklet was really helpful.

Was it worth the cost? Only you can decide and for people that want a concierge service then this is a good option and Kimkim has clearly found a niche market that works for them. But the lack of transparency on pricing as raised by many people will stop me from using them again. It's a good concept but I don't believe that it is worth that kind of premium.

Activity Review
Port Wine Tasting Tour
Port Wine Tasting Tour
Porto

Pretty good detailed walk through of the history behind port and Ferriera. Lots of port to taste at the end!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Tiago Filipe

Everything was amazing! It was a family vacat...
Portugal | Jul 6 - Jul 15, 2025

Mindy
Mindy H.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Jul 16, 2025
Everything was amazing! It was a family vacation of a lifetime. Seeing 3 completely different regions of Portugal inside and out was epic and so memorable and we have the photos and videos to hold onto for life. All of the tours booked represented a wide variety of activities to do both on land and sea. We would recommend anyone to use Helena for booking a trip for themselves! The promptness and organization was top notch and made our trip far less stressful for us! Read more

Everything was amazing! It was a family vacation of a lifetime. Seeing 3 completely different regions of Portugal inside and out was epic and so memorable and we have the photos and videos to hold onto for life. All of the tours booked represented a wide variety of activities to do both on land and sea. We would recommend anyone to use Helena for booking a trip for themselves! The promptness and organization was top notch and made our trip far less stressful for us!

Hotel Reviews
BessaHotel Liberdade
Lisboa

Modern, clean, great location to walk around, great breakfast, bar, pool and gym!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pestana Carlton Madeira
Funchal
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel is a bit older, bathrooms are not as new/modern as we would have preferred and beds were not super comfortable, all that aside the views were wonderful and a 20 minute walk from the town!
Belmar Spa & Beach Resort
Lagos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Sintra and Quinta de Regaleira
Discover Sintra and Quinta de Regaleira
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Introducing Funchal - Food & Cultural Tour
Introducing Funchal - Food & Cultural Tour
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monte Toboggan Experience by Tuk-Tuk
Monte Toboggan Experience by Tuk-Tuk
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class with Local Products
Cooking Class with Local Products
Madeira
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Funchal Sunset Cruise Experience
Funchal Sunset Cruise Experience
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Algarve Kayaking Trip to Benagil Caves
Algarve Kayaking Trip to Benagil Caves
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dolphin-Watching Tour
Dolphin-Watching Tour
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Helena Fernández

Semisch Bucket List Trip
Portugal | Jul 1 - Jul 8, 2025

tara
tara s.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 09, 2025
Carlos was amazing driver to Sentra. Busy palace and town but we escaped to the beach for lunch. Ricardo was great. I wish he would have had water in the van. We were for many hours to Porto and Douro with no water. Other than that he made great suggestions and was a great guy during our time. So helpful. Knowing in advance we had a kitchen would have been great info to share. We had no hot water on night 1 in Porto until 11:30 pm. The Pine Cliffs resort was so BIG and our room... Read more

Carlos was amazing driver to Sentra. Busy palace and town but we escaped to the beach for lunch.

Ricardo was great. I wish he would have had water in the van. We were for many hours to Porto and Douro with no water. Other than that he made great suggestions and was a great guy during our time. So helpful.

Knowing in advance we had a kitchen would have been great info to share. We had no hot water on night 1 in Porto until 11:30 pm.

The Pine Cliffs resort was so BIG and our room clear at front gate. Everything was a bit overwhelming. Maybe in future we would choose a smaller hotel. Was not aware we needed to make a reservation for dinner and wound up eating so late because all restaurants were booked. So many young children.

All in all we loved our expeditions and seeing this beautiful country. Thank you

Hotel Reviews
The Pine Cliffs Resort
Apartado, Albufeira

Hotel is gigantic and a bit overwhelming. Need reservations for dinner well in advance but need to know this. Lots of children! Young kids and babies. Very family friendly but as a family with older children we were looking for a bit more relaxing feel. Our room was very nice but way at front near exit. Would have predatory be closer to everything.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Condes de Azevedo Palace
Porto

No hot water day 1 but was corrected late into the evening. The garden was fabulous and rooms very clean. We were on the top floor so lots of stairs. Be prepared

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PortoBay Liberdade
Lisbon

No hot water day 1 but was corrected late into the evening. The garden was fabulous and rooms very clean. We were on the top floor so lots of stairs. Be prepared

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Portugal

Sintra was beautiful. Must see but be prepared for long lines

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Carlos was so great. We had a great day
Transport
Flavors of Lisbon: A Gastronomic Tuk Tuk Adventure
Flavors of Lisbon: A Gastronomic Tuk Tuk Adventure
Lisbon

Do not recommend. Not authentic and cobblestones made for uncomfortable ride.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Diana Mota
Diana
Diana Mota
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 09, 2025
Hi Tara,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback - we truly appreciate it!
We’re delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time exploring our beautiful country and that both Carlos and Ricardo contributed positively to your experience. We'll be sure to share your kind words with them - they’ll be super happy to know they made such a great impression!
We’re sorry about the inconvenience during your long transfer without water - that’s something we’ll absolutely improve...
Read more

Hi Tara,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback - we truly appreciate it!
We’re delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time exploring our beautiful country and that both Carlos and Ricardo contributed positively to your experience. We'll be sure to share your kind words with them - they’ll be super happy to know they made such a great impression!
We’re sorry about the inconvenience during your long transfer without water - that’s something we’ll absolutely improve on. Thank you as well for your notes about the accommodation and resort experience. This will help us to improve the fit between our travelers and their accommodation.
Thank you for choosing to explore Portugal with us and hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! 😊
Your friend in Portugal - Diana

Joao curated a terrific trip for us. While we...
Portugal | Jun 29 - Jul 6, 2025

S
Shauna H.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2025
Joao curated a terrific trip for us. While we really enjoyed our time in Lisbon, Joao gave us a great history lesson on the city and the country over several centuries. That history lesson provided us with a much better appreciation as to what inspired the architecture over the years. Outside of Lisbon, we really enjoyed our visits to Fatima, Batalha Monastery, Pena Palace and Nazare (home of the world’s largest waves). We had some last minute adjustments to our schedule and Joao... Read more

Joao curated a terrific trip for us. While we really enjoyed our time in Lisbon, Joao gave us a great history lesson on the city and the country over several centuries. That history lesson provided us with a much better appreciation as to what inspired the architecture over the years. Outside of Lisbon, we really enjoyed our visits to Fatima, Batalha Monastery, Pena Palace and Nazare (home of the world’s largest waves). We had some last minute adjustments to our schedule and Joao accommodated those requests and was incredibly friendly and helpful along the way. At the end of our trip, one of our family members accidentally left their eyeglass case in his van. He could have easily left in the van and did nothing. Instead, he texted us, met us at our last excursion and offered to drive us in his personal vehicle back to a spot near our hotel. Joao was caring, thoughtful and worked very hard to ensure that we had a memorable experience in Portugal (which we did!). Thank you again, Joao!!!

Local specialist: João Daniel
João
João Daniel
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 09, 2025

Thanks Shauna. It was a pleasure spending time with you and your family. Hope your new Labubu crew got home safe :)

Short but sweet trip to Portugal.
Portugal | Jul 4 - Jul 6, 2025

J
Justin S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2025
Overall, this was a good trip. I was a little disappointed compared to my experience with using Kim Kim in Rome, which was truly amazing. My consultant. Was easy to work with and informative and helped tailor the trip to what I wanted. I was disappointed with the timing and some transportations as pick up times were not what my itinerary said and some vehicles were less than optimal. I was also very happy with my walking tour guide. She was amazing and would highly recommend her. Our food... Read more

Overall, this was a good trip. I was a little disappointed compared to my experience with using Kim Kim in Rome, which was truly amazing. My consultant. Was easy to work with and informative and helped tailor the trip to what I wanted. I was disappointed with the timing and some transportations as pick up times were not what my itinerary said and some vehicles were less than optimal. I was also very happy with my walking tour guide. She was amazing and would highly recommend her. Our food tour was OK. They did make great effort to accommodate my wife’s celiac disease and need for gluten-free options, which was above and beyond and highly appreciated. My full day tour was a great guide and driver however, my friends got the same experience without using Kim Kim so I’m not sure if it was added value but overall good experience. I was happy with result, but was overall not as highly satisfying experience as what I had in Rome.

Hotel Review
Palácio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel
Lisboa

Great hotel and fun location. Check-in process was easy and they were very accommodating. Room was very nice with modern amenities. Breakfast provided was great with lots of options. Would recommend this hotel and would use it again in the future.

Authenticity & Character
Location
In the center of this region of the city and easy walking access to restaurants and shopping. As well as other highlights.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

Our driver and vehicle were amazing. He was very knowledgeable and went above and beyond to take good care of us. He made the experience great and it was a very accommodating. Definitely worth seeing all the stops and made a pleasant and fun day. The restaurant we had lunch at was amazing. Would highly recommend and love to go back again. Would have preferred to visit the first stop a little earlier in the morning to avoid the crowds and the tour could’ve started a little earlier as well to make the day not quite as long.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Private Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Lisbon

Our guide was very nice. He took the time and went above and beyond to try to accommodate my wife’s gluten-free food needs to celiac disease. I love the choices he made for the stops for the food and it was great to experience some authentic dishes. While he was not as good of a guide as some of our prior ones in regard to overall Discussion about the city and tour experience. He was still great company.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

Our guide was absolutely amazing. She took the time to make this tour very personal and let us experience the highlights of Lisbon. She was very knowledgeable and answered all questions and provided great information. Would highly recommend her and use her again.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Giorgia Torre

A trio of a lifetime! .
Portugal | Jun 23 - Jul 1, 2025

sarah
sarah l.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2025
We had a wonderful trip ! Family of three with a cranky 12 year old .. and everything still went smoothly ! All the hotels booked were in perfect foot friendly locations . We were able to walk everywhere in each city and get a great taste of of the people /the city and the delicious food . I have to say our time is Porto and Cascais was our favourite, we hope to go back . We did a fantastic food tour with Margarite in Lisbon and highly recommend her . She catered to our specific... Read more

We had a wonderful trip ! Family of three with a cranky 12 year old .. and everything still went smoothly !

All the hotels booked were in perfect foot friendly locations . We were able to walk everywhere in each city and get a great taste of of the people /the city and the delicious food .

I have to say our time is Porto and Cascais was our favourite, we hope to go back .

We did a fantastic food tour with Margarite in Lisbon and highly recommend her . She catered to our specific tastes and found ways to make our picky 12 year old happy .

Our driver Carlos was personal , funny, knowledgeable and very professional. Really enjoyed our time with him.

Pedro and his team were proactive and very responsive. Each day we would receive reminders of upcoming plans and checks in on how things went . On one occasion the hotel had made a booking mistake . We reached out to Pedro - and we literally heard him calling the front desk ( within 5 mins ) and had it sorted . We felt very supported and taken care of the entire trip .

I would highly recommend Pedro and his team .

Hotel Reviews
Cascade Wellness Resort
Lagos

One of the Hotel pools ( in front of our room) was under construction while we were there . Very loud and disturbing during the day . The room intensely was also very loud ( some machines cal issue that made loud banging sounds all night long . Check in is later than any other hotel we visited (4pm) and when we got in just after floor the carpets were wet and someone was fixing a mirror in the bathroom . We were excited to visit this hotel , and unfortunately felt very disappointed with our experience here .

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Cascais Miragem
Cascais

Amazing pool ! Had to be the most beautiful pool in Portugal :)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Condes de Azevedo Palace
Porto

Fantastic location, staff were extremely warm and helpful . Great suite with everything you needed .

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PortoBay Marquês
Lisbon

Cute , clean and in wonderful location .

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Flavors of Lisbon in a Premium &  Gastronomic Private Walking Tour
Flavors of Lisbon in a Premium & Gastronomic Private Walking Tour
Lisbon
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 08, 2025
Hello Sarah,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy to hear that you and your family had such a great time 😊
It’s wonderful that the foot-friendly hotel locations allowed you to truly experience each city at your own pace and immerse yourselves in the local culture and cuisine. Also, I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Margarida & Carlos, they really are gems - and to the rest of the team. Knowing you felt supported means a lot to me.
We take great pride in being...
Read more

Hello Sarah,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy to hear that you and your family had such a great time 😊
It’s wonderful that the foot-friendly hotel locations allowed you to truly experience each city at your own pace and immerse yourselves in the local culture and cuisine. Also, I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Margarida & Carlos, they really are gems - and to the rest of the team. Knowing you felt supported means a lot to me.
We take great pride in being responsive and hands-on, and your feedback is a lovely affirmation of that effort. Thank you again for your recommendation!
Your Friend in Portugal - Pedro

Joao and team did an excellent job to customi...
Portugal | Jun 27 - Jul 5, 2025

S
Susan B.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jul 06, 2025

Joao and team did an excellent job to customize our experience. Excellent time all around. Thanks to the team!

Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 07, 2025

Hi Susan,

Thank you so much for your kind words. I am truly happy to hear you had an excellent time and that the experience felt personalized and enjoyable. It was a real pleasure to help you plan this trip, and I will be sure to pass your thanks along to the rest of the team as well.

If you ever feel like returning to Portugal or exploring Spain, I will be here and happy to help.

Your friend in Portugal,
João

Portugal is a full of Pride and History
Portugal | Jun 18 - Jun 26, 2025

L
Luis B.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
Overall it was a good experience. All the logistics of moving us from place to place and all the tours were well executed. the hotels, except for one was very nice. Miragem in Cascais was great, except the pool was freezing. Liberdade Porto Bay in Lisbon was excellent. Conde Azevedo Palace, a very rustic location, was not up to our standards and when I complained to Across Portugal, the provider, there was not much they could do that would not cost me an arm and a leg. I was a touch... Read more

Overall it was a good experience. All the logistics of moving us from place to place and all the tours were well executed. the hotels, except for one was very nice. Miragem in Cascais was great, except the pool was freezing. Liberdade Porto Bay in Lisbon was excellent. Conde Azevedo Palace, a very rustic location, was not up to our standards and when I complained to Across Portugal, the provider, there was not much they could do that would not cost me an arm and a leg. I was a touch offended that the young lady said it was the 2nd best hotel in Porto. I can guarantee that the second best hotel in Porto does not have creaky floors, smelly refrigerator, dirty walls and insufficient hot water to fill a tub. It also had its share of bugs including a spider in our bed. it made our 3 days in Porto unpleasant to say the least and no compensation was offered or considered. Places worth seeing, Obidos, The Pacheca winery, Duoro valley, Nazare, Cascais. Places that underwhelmed, Pena Palace and the adjacent town.

Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 04, 2025
Dear Luis,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback with us.
We are truly glad to hear that overall, you had a positive experience - from the smooth logistics and well-organized tours to your enjoyment of locations like Óbidos, Douro Valley, Nazaré, and Cascais. It’s especially nice to know you appreciated the Miragem in Cascais (despite the chilly pool!) and the excellent stay at Liberdade Porto Bay in Lisbon. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed so much of the... Read more

Dear Luis,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback with us.

We are truly glad to hear that overall, you had a positive experience - from the smooth logistics and well-organized tours to your enjoyment of locations like Óbidos, Douro Valley, Nazaré, and Cascais. It’s especially nice to know you appreciated the Miragem in Cascais (despite the chilly pool!) and the excellent stay at Liberdade Porto Bay in Lisbon.

It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed so much of the journey, but it’s unfortunate that the apartment at Conde Azevedo Palace let you down and negatively affected that portion of your trip.

Upon receiving your complaint during the trip, we promptly contacted the accommodation unit. We understand that a room change was arranged in response, though it’s clear that even with this adjustment, the accommodation still did not meet your expectations. We regret the discomfort and inconvenience this caused.

Regarding the comment that Conde Azevedo is the “second-best” property in Porto, we believe the representative was referring to its TripAdvisor ranking - where it is currently listed as #2 out of 202 apartment/condo-style accommodations.

Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us. It will help us provide a better experience for future travelers. Thank you again for your honesty - it helps us uphold and improve the standard of service we strive to provide.

Your Friend in Portugal - Pedro

Amazing Portugal trip
Portugal | Jun 1 - Jun 9, 2025

Bonnie
Bonnie W.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2025
The food tour in Porto was amazing and the CoolTours Sintra day trip is a must do. Kim Kim plans a great trip! Read more

The food tour in Porto was amazing and the CoolTours Sintra day trip is a must do. Kim Kim plans a great trip!

Hotel Reviews
Casa dos Lóios by Shiadu
Porto

Great service, clean and excellent location. They also had an amazing breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
You can walk to many of the main sights and there are plenty of places to eat within walking distance also.
Staff
Everyone was very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Costa D’Oiro Ambiance Village
8600-544

Love the location and the very spacious rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We could walk to the main plaza with many shops and restaurants.
Staff
Everyone was very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel
Lisbon

Great location but small rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy walking distance to many sights, hotels, and shops.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms are the typically smaller size rooms in the older areas of Europe. It was safe and clean.
Activity Reviews
Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market
Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market
Porto

One of favorite tours ever! We loved everything we tried and the guide was great.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Sintra and Quinta de Regaleira
Discover Sintra and Quinta de Regaleira
Lisbon

An amazing tour and amazing sights. I would recommend this tour to anyone. Rui was our guide and he was phenomenal.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Beatriz
Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 14, 2025

Hi Bonnie! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback! I'm so happy to hear that you loved the food tour in Porto and found the Sintra day trip a must-do experience (it is!). Thank you again for the detailed review :) your insights are very helpful and much appreciated. Best regards, Bea.

Our local specialist Joao was amazing. He wa...
Portugal | Jun 23 - Jun 29, 2025

G
Greg D.
Concord, MA | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025
Our local specialist Joao was amazing. He was so helpful planning day trips and restaurant reservations. We had the best time! Read more

Our local specialist Joao was amazing. He was so helpful planning day trips and restaurant reservations. We had the best time!

Hotel Review
Bela Vista Hotel & Spa
Portimao

Once you enter the gates to the hotel property, it is an amazing experience. The property was beautiful and the service was beyond our expectations!

Authenticity & Character
The hotel main building was beautiful and authentic Portuguese architecture and design.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 30, 2025

Hi Greg,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really happy to hear you had such a great time and that the day trips and restaurants worked out well. It was a pleasure helping you plan your journey, and I’m so glad it all came together for you.

If you ever decide to return to Portugal, I’ll be here and more than happy to help again.

Your friend in Portugal - João

Diana did a wonderful job planning our Portug...
Portugal | May 31 - Jun 7, 2025

T
Tara D.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025
Diana did a wonderful job planning our Portugal trip. From the moment that we were picked up at the aiport in Lisbon to the day that we were dropped off at the Porto airport, everything was seamless. Our first driver, Carlos, went out of his way to make sure that everything was perfect. Our driver in Porto, Ricardo, was equally as wonderful. They even set up dinner with locals at their home. Having all of this arranged made this a true vacation!!! I would highly recommend using KimKim to... Read more

Diana did a wonderful job planning our Portugal trip. From the moment that we were picked up at the aiport in Lisbon to the day that we were dropped off at the Porto airport, everything was seamless. Our first driver, Carlos, went out of his way to make sure that everything was perfect. Our driver in Porto, Ricardo, was equally as wonderful. They even set up dinner with locals at their home. Having all of this arranged made this a true vacation!!! I would highly recommend using KimKim to plan your next vacation!

Hotel Reviews
PortoBay Marquês
Lisbon

Wonderful accommodations!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Condes de Azevedo Palace
Porto

Convenient and updated apartment!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Diana Mota
Diana
Diana Mota
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 30, 2025

Hi Tara!
Thank you sooo much for your kind review. It truly means a lot to us! We’re thrilled to hear that our team, especially our drivers, helped create such an authentic experience during your time here.
We’d love to welcome you and your family back to Portugal someday!
Thank you for your trust! 😊
Your friend in Portugal - Diana

Azores with my son and daughter
Portugal | Jun 14 - Jun 21, 2025

Gail
Gail M.
Maplewood, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025
My son, daughter and I had a wonderful experience visiting the Azores. The beauty of San Miguel and Terceira exceeded our expectations. Raquel did an amazing job organizing the trip - she listened to our requests and coordinated the adventure. The most wonderful part of our experience was our San Miguel guide Natasha. She took us on amazing hikes, told us about the island's people and culture, and we just loved learning everything from her. Natasha organized a lovely lunch with a local... Read more

My son, daughter and I had a wonderful experience visiting the Azores. The beauty of San Miguel and Terceira exceeded our expectations. Raquel did an amazing job organizing the trip - she listened to our requests and coordinated the adventure. The most wonderful part of our experience was our San Miguel guide Natasha. She took us on amazing hikes, told us about the island's people and culture, and we just loved learning everything from her. Natasha organized a lovely lunch with a local dairy farmer and his wife - the highlight of the trip! Our guides in Terceira were terrific as well - we learned so much about the history of Terceira. An added bonus was that we arrived during one of the island's festivals and were able to enjoy that as well. Thank you for this wonderful memory.

Hotel Reviews
Açores Autêntico Boutique Hotel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico
Ponta Delgada
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Raquel Aceituno
Raquel
Raquel Aceituno
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 09, 2025

Hi Gail, Thanks so much for taking the time to share the highlights of your trip to Azores! I am glad to know that you and your kids had a great time discovering these wild islands! 🤩I will pass your kind words onto our guides, specially Natacha who will be delighted to hear! It was a pleasure creating this experience with you and hopefully, we get in touch again for future adventures x All the best, Raquel

Kimkim Did Not Disappoint!
Portugal | Jun 16 - Jun 23, 2025

MARY
MARY C.
Nicetown-Tioga, PA | Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025
Kimkim did an amazing job planning our very pleasurable trip to Portugal. The activities and guides were lovely. The lodging was perfect for each location and they were easy to reach whenever we needed help. We told everyone on our travels how exceptional Kimkim had been to work with from start to finish. This trip was the perfect blend of adventure, culture, food, wine, and leisure. We were so impressed that we already logged onto the site to see other destination spots they service so... Read more

Kimkim did an amazing job planning our very pleasurable trip to Portugal. The activities and guides were lovely. The lodging was perfect for each location and they were easy to reach whenever we needed help. We told everyone on our travels how exceptional Kimkim had been to work with from start to finish. This trip was the perfect blend of adventure, culture, food, wine, and leisure.

We were so impressed that we already logged onto the site to see other destination spots they service so that they can help us with next year’s excursion.

We appreciate their attention to detail and personalization. They listened to all of our desires and helped create an itinerary with the perfect blend of adventure (hiking, biking, kayaking), food, wine, and culture. We HIGHLY recommend Kimkim and our exceptional planner, Giorgia.

Local specialist: Giorgia Torre

Joel was a great private driver for our day t...
Portugal | Jun 4 - Jun 14, 2025

K
Kate W.
Baltimore, MD | Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025

Joel was a great private driver for our day trip to Sintra! Our favorite location was Madeira given the hiking activity and amazing views. However, all locations were special in their own way and we really appreciate Tiago making every effort to fit as many locations into our itinerary upon our request despite the difficulty of the task. We intend to come back for the Azores and the Algarve.

Local specialist: Tiago Filipe
Tiago
Tiago Filipe
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 26, 2025

Hi Kate,

Thanks for your feedback!! Joel told me he truly liked "your vibe" too. These were his words!!

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Portugal and I'm sure you'll love the Algarve too, but if you're into hiking and landscapes you definitely cannot miss the Azores!!!

All the best and please send James my regards! I told you we share the same name only in different idioms, right?

Regards,

Tiago

Best aspects of using Kimkim: the ease of pl...
Portugal | May 14 - May 27, 2025

Kara
Kara M.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025
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... Read more

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
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.

Authenticity & Character
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.
PortoBay Marquês
Lisbon
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!
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.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great beds, nice kitchen and great to have laundry in unit.
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.
Staff
All were great.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room feels a bit dated but the beds were comfortable. A shower rather than just a tub would be nice.
Activity Reviews
Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service
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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Scenic Group Boat Voyage along the Douro River
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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Driver, Rafael, was a great driver and very courteous.
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
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.

Quality of Experience
Food
Transport
Great driver
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings
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.

Quality of Experience
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.
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Two-Hour Private River Cruise in the Picturesque city of Porto
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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves
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.

Step Back in Time with a Private Guided Tour of Évora and the Bones Chapel!
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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Joao was informative and personable.
To Eat Suggestion: Luca´s Rooftop Restaurant
To Eat Suggestion: Luca´s Rooftop Restaurant
Portugal

Views, food and service. Top notch!! One of my best dinners of the trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Embark on a Flavorful Cooking Class with a Meal at the Farm
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
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cascais-Sintra Exclusive E-Bike Adventure
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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Marisa Agulhas
Marisa
Marisa Agulhas
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 23, 2025

Hi Kara,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great experience with us and that everything worked out so well.
Your activity highlights sound amazing and we also really appreciate your note about the e-bike tour in Cascais :)

And the photos - wow!! You look truly happy, and it’s such a joy to see those moments captured.

We’re so glad the itinerary gave you a great mix of sights and experiences across Portugal. Thanks again for traveling with us!!

Your Friend in Portugal - Marisa

We had Kim Kim Plan a trip to Portugal for us...
Portugal | Jun 3 - Jun 11, 2025

Kimberly
Kimberly M.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025
We had Kim Kim Plan a trip to Portugal for us. It was excellent. I answered the questionnaire. I got everything I asked for private drivers, private tours, beautiful hotels. Every driver we had was accommodating and showed us extra little secret places to visit and took us. It was absolutely amazing and it was totally hasslefree. They texted us every day with an itinerary and always checked in on if we needed anything
I would totally use them over and over
Read more

We had Kim Kim Plan a trip to Portugal for us. It was excellent. I answered the questionnaire. I got everything I asked for private drivers, private tours, beautiful hotels. Every driver we had was accommodating and showed us extra little secret places to visit and took us. It was absolutely amazing and it was totally hasslefree. They texted us every day with an itinerary and always checked in on if we needed anything
I would totally use them over and over

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Britania Art Deco
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
I’m
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Cascais Miragem
Cascais
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
NH Hotel Porto Jardim
Porto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Diana Mota
Diana
Diana Mota
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 17, 2025

Hello Kim,
Thank you very much for your feedback! We're glad to hear that we could turn all your wishes into a memorable and truly special experience in Portugal! We're always here to help whenever you need - and we hope to welcome you back again soon!
Wish you all the best 😊
Your friend in Portugal - Diana

All of the guides and drivers were outstandin...
Portugal | Jun 1 - Jun 9, 2025

J
James D.
West Sacramento, CA | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025
All of the guides and drivers were outstanding. The hotels were very nice and comfortable and the hotel staff in all three hotels were friendly and helpful. The trip planning and communication were excellent and you were terrific at meeting the individual needs and interests of various group members - such as my wife and I staying for an additional day in Lisbon. Well done - would use your services again without hesitation. Read more

All of the guides and drivers were outstanding. The hotels were very nice and comfortable and the hotel staff in all three hotels were friendly and helpful. The trip planning and communication were excellent and you were terrific at meeting the individual needs and interests of various group members - such as my wife and I staying for an additional day in Lisbon. Well done - would use your services again without hesitation.

Hotel Reviews
NH Hotel Porto Jardim
Porto
Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Historic Hotel
Alcobaça
HF Fénix Lisboa
Lisbon
Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 16, 2025
Hello James, Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful feedback. I am truly delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with the guides, drivers, and hotel staff, and that everything was comfortable throughout your stay. It was a real pleasure helping to plan your trip, and I am especially glad we could adapt things to meet the needs of each group member, including the extra day in Lisbon for you and your wife. We always aim to make the experience as personal and seamless... Read more

Hello James,

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful feedback. I am truly delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with the guides, drivers, and hotel staff, and that everything was comfortable throughout your stay.

It was a real pleasure helping to plan your trip, and I am especially glad we could adapt things to meet the needs of each group member, including the extra day in Lisbon for you and your wife. We always aim to make the experience as personal and seamless as possible.

I would be happy to assist you again anytime. Please feel free to reach out whenever the travel bug strikes.

Your friend in Portugal - João

Exceptional Service and Care – Highly Recommend Tiago
Portugal | May 26 - May 31, 2025

R
Radhika R.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025
Tiago was an outstanding guide throughout our trip. From the initial booking stage, he conducted himself with the utmost professionalism and attention to detail. He not only planned a well-curated itinerary but also drove us across the country, offering insightful commentary and sharing his extensive knowledge along the way. A particularly commendable aspect of Tiago’s service was his genuine care and support. When I experienced a back issue during the trip, he went above and beyond by... Read more

Tiago was an outstanding guide throughout our trip. From the initial booking stage, he conducted himself with the utmost professionalism and attention to detail. He not only planned a well-curated itinerary but also drove us across the country, offering insightful commentary and sharing his extensive knowledge along the way.

A particularly commendable aspect of Tiago’s service was his genuine care and support. When I experienced a back issue during the trip, he went above and beyond by arranging a medical appointment at a reputable hospital in Porto and connecting me with an excellent doctor.

More than just a tour guide and driver, Tiago has become a valued friend. He made sure we returned home safely and has continued to stay in touch.

We had a truly memorable experience, and I highly recommend booking your trip with Tiago for a seamless, thoughtful, and enriching journey.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Lisboa Plaza
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Coffee machine in the room
Thomar Boutique Hotel
Tomar

Great location and d place

Authenticity & Character
Location
Center of the city. Close to many places
Staff
Very kind and nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
NH Collection Porto Batalha
Porto

Very rude front desk. AC was not working reliably

Authenticity & Character
Location
Center location
Staff
Front desk people can be more accomadative nicely
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Lisbon (Old Town) guided visit
Lisbon (Old Town) guided visit
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Belém and Cascais guided visit
Belém and Cascais guided visit
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Óbidos visit
Óbidos visit
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Batalha Monastery visit
Batalha Monastery visit
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Porto (Half-Day Guided Walking Tour)
Explore Porto (Half-Day Guided Walking Tour)
Porto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tiago Filipe
Tiago
Tiago Filipe
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 16, 2025

Dear Radhika,

Thank you so much for your words. I see my name mentioned many times and I'm not sure if I'm worthy of all your compliments.

The 4 of you are very interested and easy going people and that made my life very easy and the experience of guiding you very pleasant.

And I was happy that we could stay in touch and expect that we continue to send each other some messages every now and then!!

Please send my regards to all the crew and I hope that your back is fully operational!!!

Regards,

Tiago

12-days Portugal trip
Portugal | May 25 - Jun 7, 2025

A
Andrea & Erich G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025
We recently traveled to Portugal with a custom itinerary arranged through KimKim. While the trip had some highlights, overall it fell short of expectations—especially considering the premium price we paid.
The hotels were consistently well located and comfortable, offering a good base in each city. Having breakfast included was a plus. Our main guide/driver was flexible, and we appreciated his willingness to adapt the schedule slightly when needed.
The price felt high for what was delivered....
Read more

We recently traveled to Portugal with a custom itinerary arranged through KimKim. While the trip had some highlights, overall it fell short of expectations—especially considering the premium price we paid.
The hotels were consistently well located and comfortable, offering a good base in each city. Having breakfast included was a plus. Our main guide/driver was flexible, and we appreciated his willingness to adapt the schedule slightly when needed.
The price felt high for what was delivered. The inclusions—hotels, a car, a driver/guide, and two modest experiences (a boat ride and a Port tasting)—didn’t add up to the cost. The "guide" functioned more as a driver, with very limited insight or commentary about Portugal’s rich culture, history, or landmarks. This was particularly underwhelming given KimKim advertises guided tours, not just transportation. The guide's engagement varied—at times seeming unmotivated or disinterested in the role. Our first day was very disappointing: the assigned driver arrived extremely late, was rude, and even threatened not to complete the job. Thankfully, they were replaced the next day by someone far more professional. Compared to platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide, where guides are not always exceptional but at least consistently informative and friendly, this felt like a significant downgrade. Finally, communication with KimKim felt impersonal and opaque. We found it difficult to fully understand what we were getting until after we had paid in full, which left us with little recourse once the trip started.
This trip had enjoyable moments, and Portugal itself is a beautiful country worth exploring. However, KimKim's execution did not justify the price or promise. For travelers seeking more informative, engaging, and transparent service, there may be better options out there.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Lisboa Plaza
Lisbon

Excellent location and service. Nice rooms and breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
NH Collection Porto Batalha
Porto

Excellent location, but rooms were very small and not very functional. The breakfasts were very good but started late and the space was crowded. No coffee was available in the lobby before 8 AM - no exceptions.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Thomar Boutique Hotel
Tomar

Excellent location and very responsive staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Albergaria do Calvário
Évora

Excellent location and service. The staff was outstanding!!! They provided information and help and there was always someone at the front desk. The outdoor area was very nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lagos Avenida Hotel
Lagos

Very good location and modern hotel, but the glass doors separating the toilet and shower from the room created lack of privacy. Very nice continental breakfast and additional options. The hotel's entrance is not prepared for people with limited mobility and even getting large pieces of luggage up the steps (without any help from the staff) was unusual. The staff was not particularly helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Melia Lisbon Airport
Lisbon

Practical location to catch early flights. Unusually good for an airport hotel. Nice swimming pools, although the staff could be more attentive to keeping the area clean. Very convenient restaurante and good food. We dinned there twice, but the second night the service was surprisingly unqualified, including not speaking English. The option to take a boxed breakfast for early departure was a joke (1 apple, 1 bottle of water, 1 small juice).

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Cave Boat Tour
Cave Boat Tour
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: João Daniel
João
João Daniel
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jun 18, 2025
Hi Andrea & Erich,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We truly value all traveler reviews, as they help us improve the quality of our services and the experiences we provide in Portugal.
I'm sorry to hear the trip did not meet your expectations. That said, I feel some of your comments may not fully reflect the effort and details that went into planning your itinerary and the experience delivered to your party during your stay. I’d like to take a moment to address a few of... Read more

Hi Andrea & Erich,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We truly value all traveler reviews, as they help us improve the quality of our services and the experiences we provide in Portugal.

I'm sorry to hear the trip did not meet your expectations. That said, I feel some of your comments may not fully reflect the effort and details that went into planning your itinerary and the experience delivered to your party during your stay.

I’d like to take a moment to address a few of the points you raised.

### Regarding Trip Pricing & Inclusions
You mentioned paying a “premium price” for your trip, but based on the daily per-person budget, your trip fell within Kimkim’s “Basic” budget category (the second lowest level). Price ranges for the different categories were outlined when you submitted your trip request.

Your trip included:
- 2 double rooms in highly rated, centrally located 4-star hotels (with breakfast and city taxes when due) [standard rooms in 4 of the 6 hotels]
- 3 activities: two boat tours (and not 1 as mentioned) and a winery tour with a tasting (not a simple Port tasting as mentioned)
- a fully guided experience with 10 full days and 2 half-days of private tours in a comfortable Mercedes van (not a car as mentioned)
- 2 private airport transfers
Besides the above-mentioned accommodations, guided services, transportation, and activities, your quote also included personalized trip planning, on-trip concierge services and 24/7 local support.

We revised the itinerary multiple times based on everyone’s feedback—even after the deposit and the final payment—and the final quote ended up being lower than the initial estimate, despite your trip being extended by a day. I did my best to add as much value as possible while trying to keep your trip affordable.

### Regarding the First Day Guide Experience
I understand the frustration around the delay on the first day. The guide was 45 minutes late, which shouldn’t happen, but he notified you via text. While delays are rare, they occasionally happen in cities with heavy traffic like Lisbon. On such rare occasions, guides will make up for lost time during the day. As you experienced during your stay, we changed the starting times of several of your tours to accommodate your requests, with some of them lasting longer than standard times.

As for the interaction in the hotel lobby with your first guide, I wasn’t there to witness it firsthand to weigh in on the different versions of the events, but it seems that, unfortunately, the guide was not able to de-escalate the situation created by his delay.
When Jacob and I spoke that afternoon, he requested a new guide for the rest of the trip. While it was challenging—especially during peak season—I managed to find a replacement for the next day, and I personally guided you for the remainder 10 days of the trip.

Throughout our time together, I did not sense dissatisfaction with the level of engagement or commentary I provided. None of our interactions alluded that you were dissatisfied with my services. I generally felt we had a good trip together. Your feedback regarding my limited insight and lack of motivation was unexpected and disheartening. I worked hard to remain flexible, accommodating different individual interests and needs, adapting the itinerary as requested, and sharing not only historical, cultural, and political context, but also personal insights and favorite spots throughout Portugal. I regret that this didn’t resonate with you as intended.

### On Communication During the Planning Stage
I’m also surprised by your comments about the planning process feeling impersonal or unclear. From your initial inquiry on December 28 to the deposit on January 15, we exchanged numerous messages and made several itinerary revisions. Further adjustments were made even after the final payments in March. The complete roadbook was delivered on April 30, nearly a month before your arrival, and all inclusions were clearly outlined at the different stages. My intention was always to provide clarity and transparency at every step, so I regret that you feel it didn’t come through as clearly as it should have.

### On Comparing Services
Platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide serve a different purpose than Kimkim. Booking similar guided tour services (12 days of private guided tours around the country) independently through those platforms would have resulted in a significantly higher cost for you.

### Hotels
We take pride in the quality of the hotels we use—all of which are rated highly—and I regret that, aside from the one in Évora, you didn’t feel your interactions with staff to be excellent.

### Final Thoughts
I'm genuinely sorry the trip didn't meet your expectations in several areas. While this wasn’t the experience I hoped you’d have, I appreciate the time you took to share your impressions.

Warm regards,
João

The entire week was well done!Natacza for t...
Portugal | Jun 9 - Jun 14, 2025

C
Chris O.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025
The entire week was well done! Natacza for the Furnas Volcanic experience was amazing. Knowledgeable and easy to understand. Freddie the Culinary Trip did an excellent job engaging with the entire group. Francisco and Bae for the Epic Canyoning Trip were very easy to understand and made you feel very comfortable and safe during the activity. Read more

The entire week was well done!

Natacza for the Furnas Volcanic experience was amazing. Knowledgeable and easy to understand.

Freddie the Culinary Trip did an excellent job engaging with the entire group.

Francisco and Bae for the Epic Canyoning Trip were very easy to understand and made you feel very comfortable and safe during the activity.

Hotel Review
Vila Nova Hotel
Ponta Delgada

Comfortable bed, front desk staff a little abrupt at times, probably due to language differences.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy walk to all the restaurants and shops.
Staff
A little more friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was clean and comfortable.
Activity Reviews
Volcanic Experience: Furnas Lake Full Day Adventure
Volcanic Experience: Furnas Lake Full Day Adventure
São Miguel Island

Natacza did an excellent job educating us, taking care of lunch reservations and engaging with each one of us.

Quality of Experience
Very educational and amazing views.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable and friendly
Transport
Safe and comfortable.
Azorean Culinary & Wine Experience
Azorean Culinary & Wine Experience
São Miguel Island

Staff was nice and friendly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Epic Canyoning Adventure
Epic Canyoning Adventure
São Miguel Island

Friendly guides and made everyone feel safe and expertly explained what we were going to be doing and to steps to keep you safe.

Quality of Experience
A fun adventure.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guides were great. Made an attempt to get to know us and made it fun and safe.
Whale Watching Experience
Whale Watching Experience
São Miguel Island

The dolphins were fun.

Quality of Experience
Fun to see aquatic wildlife
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Spoke three languages so we could all understand what was going on.
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 16, 2025

Hi Chris!
Thank you for sharing your feedback! I´m glad to know each part of the experience ran smoothly and that the guides were clear and supportive throughout the activities.
It was a real pleasure helping you plan this trip, and we hope your time in the Azores leaves you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!

Best regards,
Héctor

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
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Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

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Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

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You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.