Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

Kimkim arranged a ten-day tour of Portugal for our family of six. They did an excellent job of selecting, and organizing, site visits and activities, as well as providing transportation, lodging and dining recommendations. During the trip we were in frequent communications with our in- country agent, João, to make sure everything met our needs. We also worked with a team of exceptional guides and drivers who make every moment pleasurable. Our drivers, Renaldo and Carlos, were always on time, in good spirits, and filled every day with stories about the history, culture, and people of Portugal as well as many other topics. They made every day interesting and enjoyable and often went beyond expectations. A good example of this was when Carlos took us to the Lisbon airport to return home. We expected to be dropped off outside in front of the airport, but instead he took us to underground parking, then up an unused elevator directly to check-in where he worked with airline representatives to efficiently move through the check in processes leaving us only when we reached Security where he could go no farther.

My husband and I have never used a service like KimKim before when planning a vacation itinerary, and we are so glad we did. After being welcomed so warmly by Across Portugal, however, the bar has now been set very high for the future, for we feel very spoiled indeed. From the moment we arrived in Portugal, we were greeted and received with white-glove hospitality. Everyone we encountered provided such thoughtful and thorough service, working tirelessly to make sure that our experience ran smoothly. We truly felt cared for at every moment; every detail for our stay had been considered, from our name prominently displayed by our driver at the airport to the welcome box full of local treats in our hotel room to the printed tickets for our excursions and timely check-ins every afternoon. I have never had so many doors opened for me. We felt like royalty!

Throughout our trip, we received immediate, friendly and thorough support from the team at Across Portugal, and they graciously answered all of our questions, no matter how trivial or random. It was a true delight to experience the country through the eyes of those who live there; our drivers and walking guides were exemplary professionals, but most of all we appreciated the depth of their knowledge and enthusiasm as they shared Portuguese history, language, and culture with us, offering suggestions and recommendations for where to go and what to see, where to eat. They were quick with recommendations and remained sensitive and attuned to our every comfort. They consistently went out of their way to provide impeccable service, catering to our whims, whether it was advice on how to speak or pronounce words, removing the front seat to relieve carsickness during a winding journey, providing spare umbrellas when it rained, driving us by Cristiano Ronaldo's house to satisfy our curiosity, calling a restaurants at the last minute to book tables with an ocean view, attempting to help us attend a futebol match outside Porto... The list goes on and on. The love and pride that our guides felt for their homeland shone through their words and actions.

We discovered quickly that Across Portugal had taken the time to find only the very best in local service and excursions, from tastings to vineyard tours, boat rides to cross-country drives and fado dinners. It felt as though we were being given gift after gift of unique insights and kind gestures, invited into an exclusive family. We trusted the Across Portugal team, and by extension their partnerships with local businesses, to lead us at every turn. We would not hesitate to recommend their services to anyone planning a visit to this beautiful country. You will have no choice but to fall in love with Portugal!

Pedro and his team made everything so much easier and more relaxed. From the transports to the guides to the daily communication, everything about our trip was fantastic. Highly recommend Pedro and their team!!

It was an amazing trip. My needs were taken care and beyond!

Hotel Reviews

Casa Balthazar

Lisbon

The service was outstanding. The room I stayed in was exceptional. Loved the antique setting.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the setting and decor of the hotel.

Location

Close to good restaurants, museums and shopping.

Staff

Very helpul and attentive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was kept tidy and clean.

Mercure Porto Centro Aliados

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

It's a bit hard to get into by car or planned pick up. I have to walk to the meeting point for any planned tours.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Petit Palace Posada del Peine

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

Location

It was hard to get to the hotel. My private transfer had to parked the car for a distance. It took at least 10 - 15 minutes to get to the hotel.

Staff

The staff were helpful and attentive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gran Hotel Havana

Barcelona

The location of hotel was great. Close to good restaurants and shopping. Easy access to and from the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Clean and very accessible.

Location

Good access to all amenities.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Half-Day Sintra Trip

Lisbon

It was a wonderful visit; the guide gave you a deep insight of the history of the place.

Quality of Experience

It was a wonderful visit and was able to appreciate the history of the place.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was very knowledgable and the service was outstanding. He was on time!

Transport

The vehicle was very clean, comfortable and of course the type of car he was driving. It made you feel safe.

Douro Valley Day Trip with Wine Tastings & River Cruise

Porto

The trip going to Douro Valley was exciting even though it was a rainy day. The guide who was taking us to Duoro described and explained histories of different places you come accross before reaching the valley. Getting on the river boat was an exciting experience. However, I was hoping there will be a river boat guide to show and described the different areas you see as the boat cruise the river. The wine tastings were outstanding. I learned about different grapes and wine produce on the 2 diferent vineyards.

Quality of Experience

I learned a lot about different types of wines.

Food

The food served was outstanding especially if you are a "pescetarian diet".

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide gave us a great insights of the trip. He was also easy to chat with and have a very good sense of humour.

Transport

It was a very comfortable trip and was on time.

Malasaña Flamenco Experience

Madrid

It was a good show. The singing and dancing were great. It would be good if there's a write up of what they were singing and dancing about. The food was good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I had to walk to the place.

Transport

I had to walk to the place.

Fado Show with Dinner & City Viewpoints

Porto

It was okay to listen to the singing. I would have appreciate it more if there was a information about what "Fado" is. I would give the audience an overview of whave being sung especially if you are visiting and perhaps in English. Also, if you are in a group the seating should have to been prearranged. I had to sit alone by myself away from the group.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The driver showed us the city views and even had a tast of porto wine served in a chocolate cup. That was a surprise!

Transport

The ride was comfortable and feel safe.

Park Güell & La Sagrada Família Experience

Barcelona

An amazing and wonderful visit for both the Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia. Both places were picturesque and the histories told by the guide were very educational, exciting and memorable.

Quality of Experience

It was a very memorable and educational visits.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I had to take a taxi to go to the place.

Transport

I had to take a taxi to go to the place.

Prado Museum & Cultural Walk with Lunch at Botín

Madrid

The museum was outstanding. Lots of information and very educational. It was a short visit and could have seen more artists. Lunch at Boitin was exceptional. The visit to this restaurant was something that you will remember. The history of the place was very educational. The guide was very knowledgable and the restaruant were very good and caring.

Quality of Experience

It was a wonderful and educational trip to both the museum and the restaurant.

Food

Gave you the options to choose what you can eat.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide gave us a good insights of both places.

Private Electric Tuk-Tuk Adventure

Madrid

It was an exciting adventure riding on a Electric Tuk-Tuk. The guide showed the different places to see and describe the history that respresent those places. She's also very good and make you feel safe with the vehicle.

Quality of Experience

The guide gave me an educational tour.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was polite and punctual.

Transport

It was comfortable and you feel safe.

Royal Palace Visit

Madrid

It was educational. You learned about the history of the different rooms, how it made and who inhabited it. The decor were exceptional.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I had to walk to get to the place. The guide showed and gave a good descriptions and knowledge of the place.

Transport

I had to walk to get to the place.

Traditional Portuguese Food Walk

Lisbon

This was a very good experience. The guide gave a good description of the area and the types of local food to enjoy. It was also very accomodating in what types of food each travelers, what they can eat.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide walk you through all the different areas, the history of the place and the type of foods to taste.

Transport

Self-Guided Walk in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

Barcelona

Lots of places to see and shop.

Quality of Experience

It's very nice to get to see other places on your own. Even though I travelled solo, the places recommended to see by my travel consultant and the locations gave you the assurance of being safe.

Penedès Vineyards, Wines & Tapas Day Trip

Barcelona

These were an exciting and memorable visits. I have learned the different types of wines the vineyards grow and produce. You had a chance to get closer to the grape vines travelling in a 4wheel drive vehicle. The vineyards were picture perfect. The staff were very hospitable and gracious.

Quality of Experience

These are trips one should never be missed.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The trip made you feel comfortable, safe and on time. My only comment you wished the driver gave you an insights of places you come accross before you get to the vineyards.

Transport

You feel safe and comfortable.

Local Market Visit & Cooking Class

Barcelona

The market visit was very exciting. Shopping for your ingredients to cook was great. The chef gave you an insights of the history of the market. The chef was very "funny" and guided you an how to create a good tasting food. I left the class knowing I will be able somehow to replicate the recipes. Of course, I had to acquire the recipe book.

Quality of Experience

It was an amazing experience.

Food

The food was fantastic.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The chef was very kind and have a good sense of humour.

Transport

I had to take a taxi to get to the place.

Ancient Bath Experience

Spain

This is an experience should never be missed after all the activities from shopping, eating and sightseeing. This is a great way to end your memorable and exciting holiday.

Quality of Experience

It was a very relaxing moments.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff made you welcome.

Transport

I had to take a taxi to go this place.

Our trip plan was great and all of the guides were so friendly and gave us a great insight into Portugal in many ways.
The trip app was so helpful and made things so easy to follow with links and directions.

The trip set up through KimKim was amazing. They really made the trip feel seamless. We started in Lisbon and moved to Algarve and then to Cascais. The part of the trip I really want to emphasize is the private driver/transfers. Rui was our main driver and he was absolutely wonderful. they were always right on time and it made enjoying the trip much easier when not worried about getting from place to place. All the Hotels were as advertised and I would absolutely stay in any of them again . I cant say enough good things about how well the trip was coordinated. For background we have a 3 kids ages 6-11 and the rooms were all sufficiently large and spacious for each of us. Well done Pedro.

João helped design a wonderful trip for our family. It provided just the right variety of activity to appeal to everyone and he was flexible in response to our requests. Though we did not meet him personally while in Portugal, he was very responsive to any of our needs that arose and quickly helped us coordinate assistance if needed. He connected us with a simply outstanding local guide named Gustavo, who truly "made" the trip for us. He was so knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. When the weather forced a sudden change in our plans, he quickly filled the void with new ones - and our trip didn't suffer a bit. We enjoyed his company and appreciated his guidance as we explored the cultural and natural treasures of Portugal.

We had only one accommodation that was challenging, but I felt that João was very receptive to the feedback. And even with the challenges, we still enjoyed our time there.

Hotel Reviews

Monte do Serrado de Baixo

Évora

Challenging if it's your first time to Portugal and you don't speak Portuguese. The hosts aren't onsite when you arrive, and the staff that may be there speaks limited English. If you're in the off-season, not all of the written materials providing provisions and guidance for your stay apply, so it's tough to figure out. Beautiful farm, though.

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Gorgeous hotel with wonderful accommodations for a family. However, the limits on heated pool availability for children and restaurant options for guests under 16 should be understood before you arrive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Martinhal Lisbon Chiado

Lisbon

Fantastic staff and wonderful accommodations great for a traveling family. Clean and easy to use apartment - modern amenities and great location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Cave Boat Tour

Portugal

So fun - incredible experience.

Rita was incredibly patient - we were a group of 8 with a lot of opinions and mixed itineraries. Every guide we were paired with was incredible, welcoming and provided us with a wonderful experience. For a 20 day trip having kimkim do all the coordination across 7 cities and 2 countries was a breeze- have recommended them multiple times others and would happily use again!

This was our first time in Portugal, and as for several other trips, kimkim made it possible. Kimkim worked with us to plan out a perfect itinerary for 12 days in and around Lisbon and Porto. But planning is only part of what makes a trip great - it's also being there to manage when things don't go as planned. And our 12 days in Portugal started with a plane cancellation due to weather - but kimkim was there for us to re-arrange airport pickups, hotel and dinner reservations, and to help us think thru how to do in 11 days what we planned for in 12 days.
Kimkim and their local affiliate in Spain (which handles planning for Spain and Portugal) use the app "Trip Plans" - which creates realtime updates for your itinerary, including bookings and tickets... and also contains an in-app messaging service, which was monitored and responded to in near realtime by our trip planner Rita and her associates.

Because we wanted flexibility in day trips out of Lisbon and Porto, we opted for a few day trips with private drivers. Rita and team helped us put together realistic itineraries, and then found the best drivers for us. And for those worried about driver pickup locations and times (will someone actually be there for us, even if the plane/train is late???), their choice of car services and drivers comes with a traveler-friendly text-message that includes your driver's name, number, pick-up time, location mapping... and an emergency number to call if something unexpected happens. We had the same great driver (Alex) for our airport pickup, two day-trips from Lisbon, and a drop off at the Lisbon train station (to go to Porto).

Our best day trip from Porto... Douro Valley-Expert Guide-Boat-Lunch-Tastings Premium Service. We were picked up at our hotel by Pedro, who knew everything (and seemingly everyone) in the Douro Valley. Pedro took us on a beautiful drive from Porto to our first tasting, providing us with local knowledge and fun facts about the Douro valley... and patiently stopping when I saw a particularly scenic spot for photos. Pedro continued his personalized tour with us on the hour river cruise, and then to our 2nd vineyard for lunch and another tasting. And after a day of vineyard sampling, what's better than having a private car service back to your hotel.

Thank you Rita (and kimkim) for another great trip.

Hotel Reviews

Portugal Boutique City Hotel

Lisbon

Beautiful hotel with a warm and friendly staff. Walkable to many tourist sites and lots of restaurants and cafes. Rooms are spacious and well appointed.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pousada Porto - Rua das Flores

Porto

A beautiful boutique hotel on one of the most walkable streets in Porto.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private Douro Valley Excursion with Wine Tastings, Local Lunch & Rabelo River Cruise

Porto

The Private Douro Valley Excursion was a fabulous experience. We had a private driver who was knowledgeable and friendly, making the day feel special and tailored just for us. The wine tastings were excellent, and having the flexibility with a personal driver meant we could stop for photos and experience the scenery in a way a group tour wouldn't allow.

This was a fantastic trip and The KimKim team was very helpful and knowledgeable about the country. They helped guide us on length of time and types of tours based on our interests. It really was tailored to our needs.

The only thing that could have made it better was to have a local contact in country during our stay.

We wanted to go to Portugal and we wanted to get the most out of our time there. Coraima was helpful and friendly from the outset. We spoke on the phone several times and she made sure she got a "feel" for what we wanted and didn't want to do and see. Kimkim took care of all the reservations and the tours. Coraima and Summer made sure we had parking at each hotel, as we rented a car. They even ensured we had a continental breakfast each morning! Neither agent had a motive other than to see to our needs. We wanted to drive from Porto, to the Algarve and then finish in Lisboa, and in 10 days, that is what we did. We had down time, tour time, rest time, explore time and all of it was fun time! I highly recommend using kimkim to plan your next trip to a new place. We went with the confidence knowing if we had trouble, Coraima and Summer were right there to lean on. Thank you, kimkim, Coraima and Summer!! This was the Best Best Friends' Trip ever!

Hotel Reviews

Pestana Douro Riverside

Porto

Douro Riverside is a gorgeous hotel, repurposing a perfume factory. All the modern amenities are there for you. The staff was above and beyond helpful and friendly and even gave us a glass of the local port wine as we checked in. The views from every balcony are of the Douro River in all its glory. We even got to watch a crew practice one morning. The restaurant and bar are great and the staff is exceptional. Only one thing to know before booking - this hotel is not in Porto. You will have to drive or Bolt (Uber) to the center. There really isn't anything in walking distance and parking in the city would be challenging. Other than that - this hotel is perfect!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Not in walking distance of Porto or Gaia, but in terms of views - top notch!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa

Evora

Staying in this historic hotel/convent was an experience. I wish we had more nights to explore the surroundings (we were there only one night). The restaurants and bars are really good - the wait staff friendly, approachable and they took their time with us to share information of the area. The hotel itself is well appointed, clean and quiet. It feels more like a retreat than a hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The convent is outside of Evora and not within walking distance of the center. We rented a car, so had the opportunity to drive there ourselves.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tivoli Carvoeiro

Lagoa

This hotel is gorgeous. Built into a cliff on the Atlantic in the town of Lagoa, it is separate from the town and quiet - almost retreat-like. Not all the rooms face the ocean, but there is a view from each balcony. The layout of the hotel is magical and walking the grounds and surrounding cliffs is a highlight. The food was good and the drinks better - made perfect by the wait staff. It is a big hotel and it is easy to get lost in it, but that is the fun of exploring, isn't it?

Authenticity & Character

Location

If you think you are in Lagos, you are not. Lagos is about a 30-40 minute drive west. This was a surprise to us, but it didn't take away from the grandeur of the hotel.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Torel Palace

Lisbon

I felt like we were in a fancy, upscale, alternative universe. This is a high-end hotel overlooking the Baixa neighborhood of Lisboa. We stayed on the top floor (67 steps - no elevator) and that was no problem, because the staff saw to our every whim, including hauling heavy luggage up and down those stairs. The bar and restaurant served great food and the staff were very friendly. We did not eat at the exclusive restaurant. Parking is taken care of with valet service - use it - driving in Lisboa is challenging. The hotel is off the main drag and on a quiet street. There are things to do and see near the hotel and if you don't want to take the funicular to the Baixa, you can Bolt (Uber) anywhere in the city.

Authenticity & Character

This was an actual palace. It isn't just the name.

Location

Literally steps from the funicular, the city is at your feet. The views from our room and the tower in the palace are breathtaking.

Staff

The front desk help me make a phone call to the rental car company. They brought the car up when we needed something from it. They carried our thousand pound luggage up and down all the stairs. They were all so gracious and accommodating and quick to smile.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thanks for the chocolates at night!

Activity Reviews

Private City Highlights Walk

Évora

This was enlightening, educational and fun. Our guide was so knowledgeable about the the religious, economic, cultural and political history of Evora and Portugal at large. She was funny, and easy to talk with. I felt we were with a best friend for the day,

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Douro River Sailing Trip

Porto

Thanks for all the information, the snacks, the drinks and the smiles. The sailboat is comfortable, the captains were knowledgeable and multilingual and shared all kinds of history with us from the river. What a great way to learn about Porto and Gaia! A must take trip for anyone who has never been to the area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Food Walk

Porto

AMAZING! Thank you Pepito, for the laughs, the history and the fun food facts. We met a truly wonderful human being on this private food tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Evening Food Walk

Lagos (Algarve)

Sofia rocked! What a kind, funny, smart young woman. We had a larger group and she made sure to spend time with each member. We were all from Germany, Canada and the States and everyone felt at home with her. She took us to local restaurants to eat local foods. She gave us historical knowledge on our walk of all the things we saw. It was more than a food walk.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Sintra Day Trip with Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira & Cascais

Lisbon

LOVE LOVE LOVE You have to do this trip, and ask for Filippa as your guide. She is one of the owners of the company and she is the best. Sintra - I have no words for the place other than magical. La Quinta de Regaleira is a must - what a beautiful, special place. She gave us time in the little town of Sintra for lunch and pointed out places to eat and sample the local sweets. She was so good at showing us around and explaining what we were seeing, then giving us space and time to explore on our own. Cabo de Rocas and Cascais were the icing on the cake of this trip. What a great way to see beauty outside a huge city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Working with KimKim is peace of mind - everything I’m always goes as planned- my favorite guide was Andre who walked us thru Porto markets and restaurants with some history and humor. I would recommend the walking food tour over the TukTuk tour in Lisboa- with the traffic and motorcycle noise we couldn’t hear our guide and you get so much more out of a walking tour. Always recommend the cooking class- liked our guide and the fact we learned new skills- I would take an evening class over lunch time and I think larger classes are more interesting . At the wine tasting we enjoyed unique wines and vermouths- that was unexpected - he was very personable and knowledgeable. Easy to understand and catered to his audience. Enjoyed all of our hotels- food at Bessa was amazing, service at all was outstanding. Editory hotel is a great central location- went to La Penada (spelling?) for dinner by the coast - owner was one to remember! Overall, the tours and classes are important and I would add more to my next visit to whatever country I visit next. Thank you Bea for always being there if we needed you and the gift left at my last nights stay says how much you appreciate your clients- Obrigada!!

Hotel Reviews

BessaHotel Liberdade

Lisboa

Great food, rooms are quiet, great location if using train stations or shopping. Breakfast was outstanding-

Authenticity & Character

Location

Was concerned it wasn’t by the water but enjoyed being in this area as we could still walk to all the neighborhoods and it was quieter in the evening when sleeping

Staff

Mauricio was very welcoming - always there to assist with taxi, questions etc

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Editory Garden Porto Hotel

Porto

Good location - especially if you like to visit the market- we didn’t get to make use of the beautiful patio due to weather - would stay there again in warmer weather!

Authenticity & Character

Beautifully decorated

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Reserva FLH Hotels Ericeira

Ericeira

Rooms small but everything you need was there. drinking wine on the balcony with bread and cheese picked up around the corner made for a great moment. Couldn’t ask for a better location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel

Lisbon

Always feel the most warm welcome here- offered coffee, pastry when checking in, didn’t get breakfast due to early flight out but recall from last visit it was good

Authenticity & Character

It’s authentic and rooms were more luxurious than you might expect

Location

Location is right in the heart of historic area by water and square

Staff

They are soooo helpful and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

The halal run restaurant keeps that restaurant run like they owned it-

Activity Reviews

Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour

Portugal

I think we missed a lot of what was said - our first trip we did a walking tour and got more out of it- the traffic noise and motorcycles are distracting and I felt we could still cover a lot of Lisbon in the same amount of time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cooking Class with Market Visit

Lisbon

I loved our cooking experience- the market was interesting. It was just the three of us- pros are you do more of the tasks involved with cooking the dishes. Cons were large classes are more lively and I would suggest evening over daytime- it’s a big meal and you can drink as you cook- rather have done this late in the day

Quality of Experience

Learning to filet fish and shuck oysters

Food

Liked the fish, dessert, and dinner bed the method off cooking the vegetables and the specific dish we learned to use for it

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was nice, skilled and we got him to open up and share some experiences

Transport

I don’t this applies to this event?

Introduction to Portuguese Wines

Porto

The shop chosen was beautiful and my daughter buys organic wines so it was appreciated how they support those. Guide was personable, he made it special and didn’t rush the experience- was entertaining as well as knowledgeable which makes for a good guide

Quality of Experience

Great guide! Didn’t expect to experience and learn about these whites- he added vermouths too

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked but we love to do that

Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market

Porto

Loved this tour! Best guide of our week, Andre. You could tell he was a favorite of those who worked in the market too- funny, easy to understand. Knew how to work with his group, shared about himself and family make it more personalized. Lots of foid- you won’t leave this hungry or thirsty- comfortable pace

Quality of Experience

Tastings inside narket and that old restaurant in the alley that was similar to being in a cave with the sandwiches

Food

Lots of it paired with wine and goid choices

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Never lose Andre as a guide!

Transport

Walk was good pace and great length - saw some areas I might not have without having done this

Boat tour in Ericeira

Ericeira

Didn’t get to do this but will share some photos- loved this town! You can see most of it easily in 2 days -

Quality of Experience

Couldn’t get to end of survey unless I rated- so ignore ratings

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our travel consultant, Marina planned the perfect trip for my family of all ages- from teenagers to seniors.
Our activities showed us the local food, scenery, activities and people in a way that we never could have done on our own.
The guides were so kind and knowledgeable. They even checked on us the following days to see if there was anything we needed or any questions we needed answered. We have become good friends with our guides and felt so safe and well cared for while in another part of the world.

I can't thank Marina enough for the unforgettable trip to Portugal and we can't wait to have kimkim help us plan our next trip.

Hotel Reviews

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Marquês

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

Our tour guide was one of the nicest people we've ever met. We ate the best food I've had in my life and had the most wonderful conversations. We learned about the history of Portugal and the food associated with its people. And we just had fun eating and drinking!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour

Portugal

We loved our driver! So nice, knowledgeable about helpful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Portugal

Our driver and new friend, Paulo was the best tour guide in all of Portugal, I'm convinced! He gave us history lesson, life lessons and we talked about everything in between. Such a great and fun person who took great care of my family. I can't thank him enough for making our trip amazing.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Algarve Kayaking Trip to Benagil Caves

Portugal

Once in a lifetime experience!! So fun! My teenage daughter, older mother and everyone in between loved this!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marisa & KimKim team were in constant communication with us throughout our trip. The hotels selected were amazing. All plans went off without a hitch. Great vacation!

Marisa was great to work with during the planning process. The hotels she chose were perfect! Both the Cascais Miragem (in Cascais) and Cascade Wellness (in Lagos) were perfectly located and offered everything we could have asked for. The Cascade Wellness hotel is a ocean front resort and offers direct access to the walking trails along the cliffs and to the beaches. We found the Cascais Miragem to be a perfect mix of walking distance to the town (10 mins) and luxury amenities that we needed at the end of our trip. Day trip to Sintra and stops along the Cascias coast were worth the time for a day trip. Marisa was was always responsive to our questions and made really great suggestions to fill out the trip for us. We didn't end up eating at any of her restaurant suggestions as we prefer to find them ourselves but they all looked to be excellent choices if you don't want to research those yourself. Having a driver available for airport transport and the Sintra trip made things very convenient. Rental car process was seamless and easy. Don't be intimidated with tackling the drive from Lisbon to Lagos yourself. It was easier than expected. We only had to to spend 15 minutes driving in Lisbon then it was out into the countryside on the open road highway. Our 16 year old son said this was a Great trip form him as well. Other observations: don't worry about the language as everyone there speaks english and the Metros in Lisbon were safe, efficient, clean and easy to navigate. Thanks Marisa and the KimKim team!

Our guide for the Sintra hike was spectacular! He went above and beyond to educate us on the history, to customize the day to what we wanted, and took pictures for us.
Anytime we needed to contact our support team, we revived timely responses that solved the issue. Having the app with the itinerary was also very handy. We had the best week :)

Activity Review

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed the day!

Transport

João and Pablo did a great job keeping us on track with their daily updates. The suggestions they made were greatly appreciated.
Our drivers Carlos and Fabio were the best.. always on time,, providing some history lessons, and going a little out of their way to assure that we got to see some extras.

Hotel Review

Estoril Vintage Hotel

Estoril

A very special experience. Walk into the beautiful lobby and take in the charm of this “once home”, now hotel. Have your welcome drink on the terrace overlooking the ocean . Use your Portuguese to chat with friendly staff. Enjoy the view from your spacious room. Take a short walk through the lovely streets of Estoril before heading down to the water. The food here is excellent, so be sure to have a special dinner there.

Authenticity & Character

Stunning building, beautiful decor and very professional and friendly staff

Location

Very short walk to coastline.

Staff

Very attentive, welcoming, and helpful. You can tell they enjoy their work.

Cleanliness & Comfort

All downstairs sitting rooms, bar area, restaurant and certainly rooms were very clean and comfortable.

Activity Reviews

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

Our guide was a young woman named Anna. Her passion for history was evident through her knowledge and enthusiasm. She guided us through different areas of Lisbon and took us to historical places as well as the best views via elevators. The tour ended with a delightful wine tasting and sampling of cheeses and hams. This was only for us. The wine expert talked about some different wines from Portugal, especially its vinho verde. Of course we bought one.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

Our driver took us up narrow, winding roads to a restaurant that is famous for Fados. We enjoyed a very nice meal, good wines, and were treated to a performance of guitar and singing. The songs were often about the sea and of course love. I especially loved the guitars.

Quality of Experience

We were treated so well and the people were so warm and friendly.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Profesional, passionate about their work, and a desire to see that guests were getting the best experience.

Transport

Great drivers, excellent public transportation such as metros, short train rides, long train rides in first class car, and Ubers.

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

A great way to see the stunning rock formations. Your motorboat takes you through the arches of the walls. The guides are knowledgeable and great at handling the boats.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Embark on a Flavorful Cooking Class with a Meal at the Farm

Portugal

We had a lovely evening visiting the farm of Mariana and Inez. Their family has had this farm for many years and all work to keep it going. Our cooking class with Inez was a real highlight of the trip. With her guidance, we four prepared a 3 course meal. We all took part in the creation of a meal fit for a king. After the meal was ready, Inez and Mariana set the dining room table and served us the meal we had prepared. It was a wonderful experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Fresh seafood, wines, couvert, cheeses, and desserts.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Their warmth and kindness. I had started taking Portuguese classes a few weeks before the trip. I was anxious to see what I could do. The people with whom I interacted were patient and helpful.

Transport

João from Across Portugal did a fantastic job helping us plan our 12-day vacation in Portugal. In the planning stage he offered suggestions after listening to our needs and preferences. We emailed back and forth until we had the perfect trip for us. Then Across Portugal did all the booking and sent a detailed itinerary to review.
Once we were in Portugal, everything went like clockwork. We had a walking tour of Lisbon with Anna, who had lots of history and contemporary information to share with us. Our driver, Carlos, was with us several times during the trip and we had lots of opportunities to learn about his country from him. We felt safe in his hands and enjoyed his company. He also gave us good suggestions for places to eat.
Another highlight of the trip was our cooking lesson in Tavira with Inez and Mariana. We loved visiting their farm and learning to cook cataplana and other delicious traditional Portuguese dishes. We wished we had more time to explore Tavira. It is a much smaller town than the other places we stayed.
João checked in with us each day to tell us what to expect and make sure all was going well. He rebooked a cancelled boat excursion before we even knew it happened! The joys of having an in-country travel agent!
In sum, I highly recommend Across Portugal, João in particular, to help you plan and execute a magnificent vacation in beautiful Portugal!!!

Hotel Reviews

Heritage Avenida Liberdade

Lisboa

Lovely boutique hotel located perfectly in historic Lisbon. Great staff, delicious breakfasts, beautiful decor. Everyone was friendly and helpful

Authenticity & Character

Warm and friendly

Location

Walk to shops, restaurants, historic sections of town and the metro.

Staff

Greeted us every time we came in the door with smiles and words expressing interest in us.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and comfortable

Casa Mãe Lagos

Lagos

This hotel is unusual for us. We stayed in the minimalist rooms and enjoyed the care with which they were furnished and decorated. The balcony was an enjoyable place to relax. We loved the restaurant and the wellness drinks on offer! Dinner was excellent as were the breakfasts. The beauty of Casa Mae is also outside of their buildings. The garden is a centerpiece, even in February and the pools look enchanting, although it wasn’t warm enough for us to be tempted.

Authenticity & Character

Quite unusual compound of buildings and gardens. All renovated with care and creativity.

Location

The hotel has a great location inside the historic wall on a hill above the center of town. It was an easy walk to the water, shops, and restaurants and it was very quiet at night.

Staff

Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Solange, Barbara and Candela stand out.

Cleanliness & Comfort

In a minimalist room a traveler must work a bit to keep things tidy. Each day the housekeeper would have everything in order for us!

Pousada Convento de Tavira - Historic Hotel

Tavira

We were only here one night and wished it could have been longer.

Authenticity & Character

It survived the earthquake of 1755 and is a gorgeous building. Lots of space.

Location

Tavira seems like a cozy small town. The pousada is at the top of a hill next to a beautiful garden.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Estoril Vintage Hotel

Estoril

This gorgeous small hotel was the best of the best. The staff makes every effort to help you feel at home and every detail was considered in planning and decorating. Every where you look you find something beautiful. The restaurant was excellent and the location was convenient to everything we wanted. The terrace overlooking the water was unforgettable. Nothing better than sitting there, sipping a drink and watching the waves.

Authenticity & Character

Feels like a gorgeous, stately old home, which is what it was.

Location

We didn’t have a car and loved the short walk to the beach promenade which seemed to go for miles. Stunning neighborhood also.

Staff

Attentive and warm and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perfectly maintained

Activity Reviews

To Eat Suggestion: Cervejaria Trindade

Lisbon

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

Anna was full of information. She tailored the walking experience to our needs. Answered all our questions and was fun to be with.

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

This is a crowded tourist spot even in February. The drive up the mountain is interesting!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Carlos knew some tricks to avoid the crowds and make the best of the day’s experiences. We were glad we listened to him

Transport

When we weren’t walking or on a train, we were driven by Carlos in his immaculate Mercedes van. Smooth and quiet on the highway.

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

If you haven’t seen and heard fado, you must. The guitar playing is amazing but I can’t quite relate to the singing style.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food was really pretty good for a dinner theatre experience.

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

We do a lot of personal boating, so we weren’t sure how much we would enjoy this. However, it was a lot of fun and really special to see the rocks and cliffs from the water side. The guides on the boat were safe and entertaining.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Embark on a Flavorful Cooking Class with a Meal at the Farm

Portugal

This was our favorite experience of the whole trip. These families are working hard to create a sustainable organic farm, raise their children and earn a living. They are so proud of their home, their property and products. It was an inspiring evening. We had a great time cooking and chatting and eating.

Quality of Experience

Amazing farm and home.

Food

Traditional cataplana main course with fried goat cheese starter and light dessert I can’t remember the name of.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great chef Inez! She explained the chemistry of our cooking method.

Working with Diana to plan our Portugal trip was such a pleasure!! She and her awesome team have made our 30th anniversary celebration a memorable one.
I really don't know how we could have managed such a wonderful vacation so easily if I hadn't contacted her via KimKim. She and her colleagues took care of every single, minute detail during our 5 day trip. Right from the very first call to the time we boarded our flights out of Lisbon, she was w/ us via What'sApp, checking-in at regular intervals, giving a heads-up regarding the next day expectations.
I also have to give special thanks to our drivers and guides Rafael and Ricardo. They have made our day trips to Sintra, drive around Lisbon, drive to Porto a breeze and such an informative trip - stopping at all the right places and being the best local guides :)
Overall, I would highly recommend Diana and her team to anyone who is planning a trip to Portugal. You will be doing yourselves a favor :)

Activity Reviews

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver plus guide for the day , Rafhael, was very friendly, punctual and ensured we did not miss any important/interesting spot.

Transport

Very punctual pickup/drop; clean vehicle

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Ana was our walking tour guide for the day. She was very pleasant, friendly and easy to talk to, has a good understanding of local history. 3.5 hrs just flew by going around this historic town w/ Ana. I would recommend this walking tour to folks who are able to comfortably walk around - esp hilly ups/downs.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was my first experience using kimkim and their local agent, Diana, in Portugal, and I will not travel again without contacting them! It was the most seamless, wonderful trip I have experienced. Every detail of the trip was arranged prior to our departure, all with our feedback and suggestions, as needed. Having never been to Portugal, we were grateful for Diana's suggestions on locations to visit and the amount of time allotted for each. I am a female who was traveling with my sister-in-law and 27 year old daughter, and we all agreed it was the most amazing experience.

The private driver service was a game changer! Prior to our travel, we had suggested to Diana that we may not need a private driver; however, she responded that this was the best way to travel without stress and enjoy local knowledge as we traveled. Our main driver, Costa, was beyond amazing. He was professional, polite, kind, attentive, and always receptive to our requests to stay longer in a location or move on. It was like traveling in a high-end van with a tour guide and secret service (no safety concerns, but Costa watched our every move)! Costa helped arrange for restaurants during several stops, and we were treated like royalty by the staff. We had our most amazing meal overlooking the ocean in a restaurant in Cascais on Costa's recommendation.

The hotels arranged by Diana were amazing. We were pleasantly surprised at each of our three accommodations, but especially overwhelmed in Lisbon and Cascais. The staff at the hotels were professional and kind, and the breakfast options that were included were excellent.

We also took advantage of a few walking tours and excursions recommended by Diana. Each of the tour guides seemed very concerned at our satisfaction level, and we enjoyed the private aspect of the tours in giving us a chance to ask questions and take detours at our discretion.

In every piece of our travel, we felt that we were offered higher levels of accommodations and service based on the service providers' desire to keep good standing with Diana and Across Portugal. Diana was quick to respond when we had questions, and there were no unpleasant surprises along the way. Many thanks to kimkim and Diana at Across Portugal for the trip of a lifetime!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Britania Art Deco

Lisboa

The hotel location, decor, rooms, and service were exceptional. We were on a quiet street, yet only blocks from the high end district. The rooms were beautiful and well-appointed.

Authenticity & Character

Amazing that they were able to bring an historic building up to current and exceptional comforts.

Location

The hotel is on a quiet street, yet only a block or two from city center.

Staff

All of the front desk staff were amazing. The bartender was exceptional, as well.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The beds were amazing, as well as the bathroom.

Condes de Azevedo Palace

Porto

The hotel was beautiful and nice that the apartment offered separate bedrooms and a common area, dining table, and kitchen. It was on a very busy and noisy street, and the bedrooms were up a flight of narrow stairs with a tight turn, making luggage a bit of a challenge.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The hotel provided easy access to the river as well as central Porto.

Staff

At check-in, we were offered a quick tour of the apartment, but no assistance with getting our luggage up the stairs to the bedroom. We also asked for a recommendation for wine and pizza and were directed to a hotel that did not serve pizza (which seems trivial, but we were very specific in our request).

Cleanliness & Comfort

The apartment was very clean, but there were no extra amenities such as extra towels or pillows.

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

Every aspect of this hotel was amazing. It was one of the nicest hotels experienced by anyone in our group. We did not want to leave!

Authenticity & Character

The hotel is spacious and well designed. The fresh floral arrangements and design were impeccable.

Location

The oceanfront location cannot be beat. The restaurant, bar, pool, and balconies all have amazing views of the ocean.

Staff

The cleaning staff offered turndown service, fresh towels throughout the day, pillow options, etc. and were so kind and professional.

Cleanliness & Comfort

This hotel offers every amenity. It is exceptional.

Activity Reviews

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

The private tour of Lisbon offered just the right level of detail on the history and current state of Lisbon. Our tour guide was kind, fun, knowledgeable and professional.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We felt that we would have liked to have our guide as a friend. She was kind and fun.

Transport

This was a walking tour that was just the right level of challenge and comfort.

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Our driver was beyond amazing in his professionalism and knowledge of the area. We enjoyed Pena Palace but especially enjoyed Sintra and the brief tour of Cascais.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We cannot say enough good things about our driver. He was extremely professional, kind, attentive, and helpful. We loved Costa!

Transport

The high end van and private driver offered a wonderful way to see the area.

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

The atmosphere and music offered great insight into the Portuguese culture. We appreciated how much all native Portuguese love the Fado music. It is beautiful.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Porto is beautiful and we walked through some amazing locations. Our guide offered an extensive history of Porto and Portugal as a country - perhaps a little too extensive, at times. We would have preferred to cover a little more ground and see more sights.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very kind and knowledgeable. He could benefit from being a little more aware of the attention level of his visitors. To his credit, he is very passionate about the history of Portugal and the style of buildings, etc.

Transport

We would have preferred more walking and less standing and talking.

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Beautiful location and interesting tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service

Portugal

The Douro Valley is amazing and beautiful. We enjoyed the views and the winery tour; however, the time spent in the car seemed a bit excessive.

Quality of Experience

Having been on vineyard tours in other countries, we would have foregone this experience due to the travel time to and from the area.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Douro River Escape: 1-Hour Exclusive Cruise

Portugal

The guides on the boat were wonderful; however, the boat tour was a bit underwhelming. We traveled a short distance down the river and back and really did not see anything overwhelming - perhaps because we live in a part of the world that also has beautiful rivers and hills :)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Indulge in Elegance on a Guided Winery Tour Infused with Tastings and a Delicious Lunch

Portugal

The lunch was wonderful. We did enjoy the tour of the vineyards, but having been to other vineyards, we would have opted not to do this experience.

Quality of Experience

Lunch was exceptional!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cascais-Sintra Exclusive E-Bike Adventure

Portugal

The weather was not conducive to a bike tour that day, yet the guide suggested we continue. We thought we would be transported to the park by car, but we left the hotel on bike after only a brief introduction to the e-bikes and traveled on side walks and through the narrow city streets. Due to the wet tiles on the street, one member of our party wrecked their bike after two previous near falls. Thankfully, she wasn't seriously hurt, but had a large bruise on her cheek and a sizeable scrape on her knee. We returned to the hotel without seeing the park. Our travel agent, Diana, was exceptionally concerned about the injury and make sure our injured traveler did not need additional care. Diana also immediately refunded our fees for the tour.

Quality of Experience

I am an experienced biker; however, I was very uncomfortable following our guide through city streets with pedestrians. The workings of the e-bike deserve more than a brief introduction.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport