Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

Marta was helpful and always timely with her responses! We unfortunately experienced some travel challenges with an air strike that impacted one of our legs of travel. Marta quickly cancelled activities and was able to provide the necessary documentation required to support our Travel Insurance claim.
This is our second time utilizing KimKim and will use them again in the future!

Our "Portugal Awaits" vacation was amazing thanks to all the detailed planning by Marisa. All services provided, including transportation, hotel locations and suggested places of interest, were extraordinary. Our drivers for the two all day excursions spoke excellent English, were extremely engaging and gave us additional insight into the Portuguese culture. Both shared recommendations for restaurants that turned about to be culinary adventures. The walking tour and Tuk-Tuk guides were very friendly and made Portuguese history entertaining.
Home Cooking Lisbon was first class fun! The instructor, Ines, made us feel comfortable while cooking dishes foreign to us and the results were delicious!
We greatly appreciated Marisa's advice not to have a rental car, but utilize train transportation which provided a more relaxing and pleasurable experience.

From the first moment I interacted with Tiago while planning the trip, I knew I was in good hands. The same was true with our larger-than-life guide, Gustavo.

Both were knowledgeable, experienced, and authentic locals, fully committed to ensuring we had the best experience possible.

My uncle and I were very specific in our wants for the trip, and Tiago and Gustavo were always available at a moment’s notice to accommodate us.

Horseback riding along the beach in Comporta was an absolute highlight for me.

I wish both Gustavo and Tiago every success, as they truly deserve it, and I look forward to working with them again in the future.

Thank you, guys!

Joao was amazing. He listened to what we wanted to do and gave suggestions when needed. He put together a wonderful itinerary. Unfortunately we weren’t feeling well for some of the trip and he was so good at listening to what we needed and did it at a pace that was good for us especially on the day we went to Sintra and Cascais and also the day we drove to Porto. Even though we weren’t feel 100% we saw everything that was planned and it was amazing. We had a really good time exploring Portugal. I would definitely recommend him and your company to friends and family.

Activity Reviews

Street Art Tour in Lisbon

Lisbon

I didn’t realize it was a private tour but I really enjoyed it as I didn’t know much about the street art. She was very knowledgeable and explained everything to me with regards to the artists and why they came up with their ideas.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pasteis de nata cooking class

Portugal

She was very knowledgeable and very patient with us as she taught us step by step how to make the Pasteis de Natas. Can’t wait to make them at home!

Quality of Experience

Our family of four just returned from a fabulous trip to Portugal! Kimkim connected us with Pedro who, from the start, was excellent to work with. We spent 9 days in Portugal...starting in Porto and working our way to Lisbon stopping for a night in Alcobaca and Cascais. Pedro's suggestions were spot on. The overall itinerary he developed, drivers (Ivo, Carlos, Claudia), guides (Taisa, Sarah, Sarah, Margarid), tours (e-bike, port tasting, walking, wine tasting, fado dinner), hotels, restaurant recommendations, etc were all excellent. The service and value we received was first class. As an example, my daughter was very disappointed for forgetting something in the hotel in Alcobaca...I asked Pedro if there was anything he could do...he worked his magic/network and the item was reunited with my daughter on our arrival in Lisbon. Simply amazing. He was connected with us throughout the trip and we tweaked a few things along the way...no request was too much! We had a wonderful family trip with fond memories that will last for a long time! Pedro had a huge part to do with that and we all are very grateful. So glad to have worked with him and his company. Thank you, Pedro!

Had the most memorable time

The team in Portugal (Pedro our trip planner and the guides/drivers Pedro, Andre, Pedro and George) were fantastic. Everything went well and according to the trip plan. Could not have done it without Kimkim and Across Portugal.

Hotel Reviews

Luz Charming House

Fátima

Very special experience. The rooms are unique. The restaurant has great breakfast and the dinner menu is excellent. The hosts are amazing. Very relaxing and peaceful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

NH Hotel Porto Jardim

Porto

This hotel is in a very good location, and we felt safe. I couldn't mention anything bad about this hotel choice. It was great!

MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel

Lisbon

The hotel was in a very good location, and we felt very safe! I wouldn't have changed it at all.

Location

Activity Reviews

Douro Valley Vineyard Delightful Lunch Experience

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Scenic Group Boat Voyage along the Douro River

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our trip was the perfect mix of everything we had asked for. It included a mix of cities, small towns, food, culture and activities. There was enough free time for us to fill in with things we learned about during our travels. All of our accommodations were wonderful and the guides for all of our excursions were exceptional.

Hotel Reviews

MyStay Porto Bolhão

Porto

The location of this hotel turned out to be perfect once we got our bearings in the city. The bed was extremely comfortable and the room was clean. The "breakfast" was rather disappointing, especially after the fantastic breakfasts we had at all of our previous accommodations. We were surprised to receive a box of milk and juice and a cellophane wrapped bread with jam. The coffee was freeze dried and tea choice was limited - no nespresso!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Our interactions were all virtual. They were responsive and efficient but I can not really comment on "staff" as we never met anyone.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pousada Castelo de Óbidos

Óbidos

This was the coolest place to stay. We had views of the castle courtyard from our room. The breakfast buffet was very good with several choices. The hotel staff were extremely helpful and obviously love their jobs in the castle. We would definately stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Costa D’Oiro Ambiance Village

8600-544

Lovely hotel in a fairly convenient location. Their breakfast was exceptional with everything you can imagine on the buffet. Water pressure and temperature control in the shower was an issue but I would stay at this location again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel

Lisbon

This hotel was in a great location. The rooms were small but very comfortable. The breakfast offered by the hotel was very good and had a large selection of different foods. Baixa can be a loud section of the city and we had to keep our windows closed during the night to keep the noise out. This wouldn't affect my decision to stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

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

Porto

Our guide was fantastic! We were fortunate to have a great group of tourists and a fun day together driving to the Douro valley, visiting the wineries, having a meal, enjoying the scenery and taking a boat tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market

Porto

The guides on this tour were amazing. This was a great food tour for the northern parts of Portugal.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Secret Porto Walking Experience

Porto

Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us on a great walking tour of old Porto.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Catamaran Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach

Portugal

This was a lot of fun and the coast line that we saw was magnificent.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

We loved our guide. Jorge was fantastic and was very knowledgeable. The picnic he prepared for us was so cute. This tour only included the entrance to the castle. It was a nice long hike.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Privately Guided Visit of Lisbon

Lisbon

Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us around the city to see all the sights. I was disappointed that we did not really go "in" to any sights - only one church. We simply "walked by" everything. Our tour did include tickets to go into the Monastery in Belem but the lines were so long that we opted to pass rather then spend an hour standing in line. Having a prepaid tour should have included some priority placement in the line. Also since this was a full day tour it would have been nice to have the meal included. We paid for our lunch and for the guides meal too - While I didn't mind paying for the guides lunch, it seems like this should have been made clear at the purchase of the tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

Fantastic tour and tour guide!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pedro was awesome! He contacted us daily while we were in Portugal to make sure everything was OK and to give us our schedule for the next day. He was very accommodating when we decided to change things halfway through.
Our driver, Pepe, also was very accommodating. His recommendations for dinner and lunch were excellent!
I highly recommend Kim Kim and Pedro if you’re planning a trip to Portugal!!!🇵🇹 .

Kimkim put together an amazing 10-day trip for us to Portugal. It was my husband and me. It was our first time using Kimkim, and we were not disappointed. We stayed in Lisbon, Porto and Lagos, and Kimkim arranged tours in each location. We loved the hotels in Lisbon and Lagos, and every single tour was AMAZING (I was running out of cash from all of the tips ;) but it was cash well spent. We had a few little hiccups that come with traveling and were no fault of Kimkim. In those instances, Kimkim was quick to respond and help. With the convenience of the Internet, I have always planned my own trips of late, and was very reluctant to use an agency. I am very, very glad I did, as I could have planned the trip, but I don't think I could have had the "local touch" that Kimkim provided. We will definitely use them again for our next journey, and highly recommend their services.

Hotel Reviews

Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto

Lisbon

We were in and out of this hotel quickly. Most people probably come in the night before an early morning flight (we did.). This would be a great hotel in which to spend more time - the room is modern and nice, there is a spa service, and the food was good. The breakfast starts at 4 am, which gives people with early morning flights time to eat before leaving. There is a shuttle that will take you to the airport, but if you don't mind a quick walk, you can also walk to the airport terminal (yes, it's that close). The breakfast here was excellent. We'd stay here again and highly recommend this hotel. The staff was very welcoming, and we enjoyed the "Lisbon" welcome cookies upon checkin.

Location

Super convenient for travelers with early morning flights.

Staff

They were friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Costa D’Oiro Ambiance Village

8600-544

Loved, loved, loved this hotel. It is super convenient to the beaches and walking trails of Lagos. We love to hike and specifically asked for a vacation experience that made this easy. There are so many walking trails near this hotel. The city center is about 15/20 minutes by foot. It's easy to get there and you see a lot of people walking/doing the same. We always felt very safe here and while walking anywhere. The hotel staff was kind and courteous, and this hotel has an AMAZING breakfast. We didn't come to sit by the pool, we did go there for several hours one afternoon. The bar service for the pool was efficient and quick, and the pool side food was good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Porto Charming Hotel

Porto

I am not one to leave bad reviews but we did not enjoy this hotel. My husband and I were in the room. The room was very small and awkward. We could barely move throughout the room together. The closet was behind a curtain. The bathroom was tough to use. By this I mean when you leaned over to wash your face, your head hit the glass shelf over the sink. It was made more awkward because apparently many Portuguese hotels do not have bath clothes (small and square) but instead give you what at least an American would call an hand towel, and a large one at that. It's hard to wash your face with a hand towel, especially when you whack you head on the too-close shelf. For the breakfast, the food was very good and local, but the stated times were 8-10 am. Many times we had tours at 8:30, so we really needed the breakfast up and ready by 8 am. It was never fully ready until about 8:30 am, including the coffee. There was a very sweet lady setting up the breakfast, but it felt like she could have used some more help. Also, there was a sign that said coffee would be available pretty much all day, but it never was. (Coffee during breakfast was also an issue - it constantly ran out.). One day our room was not cleaned because the cleaning person didn't show up. Okay. Perhaps I am overacting, but we paid a lot for this room (including daily breakfast and a daily serviced room), we didn't feel this hotel delivered. Overall we didn't feel super welcome here - we felt like we were an inconvenience. Maybe it was just us - I noticed great reviews throughout the lobby. The only comment I can end with is I would not stay here again.

Alecrim ao Chiado

Lisbon

We loved this hotel! It is charming and in a good spot. It did get a little loud late at night as it's near a few clubs, but we slept right through it. The breakfast is amazing. I believe the hotel is part of a former palace, and it has some of the old exposed walls that come along with it. We had a suite and it was roomy and clean. The room included a Nepresso machine which was convenient. Our bathroom had a double sink and large shower. There was ample storage space. Check in was easy and everyone was super friendly. We would stay here again, and highly recommend it.

Authenticity & Character

It was old but had modern conveniences. We were comfortable and slept well.

Location

It was easy to walk everywhere.

Staff

Everyone was great and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was clean.

Activity Reviews

4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience

Portugal

What a great tour to end our visit in Portugal with this adventure in the Algarve. This is more than a quick peek at the sunset. Our guide picked us up from our hotel in Lagos, and we made our way village by village over to Cape Saint Vincent, the most southeastern point in Europe. Because he grew up in this area, at each stop our guide gave insights into what made each little village special from his perspective. We ultimately made our way to Cape Saint Vincent where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, but this is not where we saw the sunset. Our guide timed it perfectly, and we went further to a very secluded spot and celebrated the setting of the sun. It was an amazing day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Nicholas was great. He was a local, and knew the cities and the coastline well. His ability to time the sunset viewing experience perfectly was admirable!

Transport

On time, vehicle suitable for the purpose.

Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Porto

While all of our excursions in Portugal were awesome, this trip to Geres may have been our favorite. This park is simply gorgeous. We came to Portugal to get some hikes in, and that is exactly what we did on this full day tour. We had several challenging hikes throughout the day. The landscape was beautiful and at times rugged, but our guide made sure we always felt safe and were ready to keep going. The views from the day were incredible. The mid-day meal was exceptional - it was a lot of food. We enjoyed seeing the small village and learning about its history. We really liked how the tour company worked along with the community to help give back by letting us plant a seedling (oaks and chestnuts) that in the future would be replanted in the forest.

Quality of Experience

Food

The lunch at the restaurant was very good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Antonio was a great guide. His knowledge of the area and the local village was great. I personally liked his playlist, and will always remember going through the Geres park listening to Guns-n-Roses.

Transport

On time, perfect vehicle for the terrain, which was rough but expected (this is NOT a complaint.).

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & Hiking Routes

Porto

For us a trip to Porto without going to the Douro Valley would have been incomplete. So we went to the Douro :) This day trip was extremely worthwhile. We were worried because the weather in Porto had turned wet and chilly. Everyone kept saying "The Douro Valley has its own microclimate - it could be raining or sunny." Everyone was right. It was sunny but windy. It's over an hour and a half drive to get where we were going, but wow, was every mile beautiful. The bends and turns each brought a different view. We had a great picnic with local wine and food, and enjoyed an informative tour of one vineyard. We saw a hawk and several falcons, plus a few other native birds -- we love seeing birds so this was a highlight for us. We stopped on the way back in Amarante and had a great (despite wet) walk around the town.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Ria Lagos was excellent. He really made sure we had a good experience because the weather was tricky.

Transport

On time, very sufficient for the tour. Once in the Douro Valley, some of the roads to the winery were twisty and mountainous. An off-road vehicle was a must and this one was suited for its purpose.

Private Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

We didn't have much time in Porto, and this three-hour tour gave us a great overview of the city. Our guide was born in Porto and knew the ins and outs of the city. He was clearly very proud of his city, and his enthusiasm was contagious. We covered a lot of ground, and Porto is a hilly city. We got a good workout!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Ricardo was awesome. We had another tour with the same tour company the next day, and everyone said Ricardo was the "Porto expert." We highly agreed!

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

This full day tour was incredible. Sintra was like walking into a fairy tale. We had a misty, cool day, and the castle decided it didn't want to be seen during our visit ;( but exploring the grounds was amazing. There was something at every turn. we loved seeing all of the different plants and trees, and hearing (and seeing a few) birds. We asked for options to hike during our tour of Portugal, and this spot didn't disappoint. We opted to hike to the top near the old Moorish fort. It's a good 45 minute hike pretty much straight up. Coming down was a good workout as well. Sintra is definitely a hilly adventure and well worth it.

Quality of Experience

Sintra is magical.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Jorge was excellent. He was born in Sintra and provided interesting memories from his childhood. He grew up roaming around the castle grounds, and really gave insights that made the tour very special.

Transport

On time, suitable for the experience, roomy and clean.

Lisbon Fado Dinner Experience

Portugal

We enjoyed the Fado show. The singers were soulful with their songs. We had read in advance that one should not clap at Fado shows, but everyone in the audience did, so we did too. This Fado spot is in a lovely spot by the Cathedral of Se, and made for a charming walk to/from our hotel. The food was fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Food

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

This three-hour private tour of Lisbon was awesome. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, and we covered a lot of ground. He explained architecture, history, and so many other things. He hit all of the sites that we wanted to see, and provided introspective details that we clearly would not have gotten on our own.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was amazing. I'm pretty sure his name was Alec or Alex, and I included him in one of the photos.

Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

What a great way to get to know Lisbon! We enjoyed this three-hour tour with our host Dani. We arrived in the morning, and took this group tour at 3 pm. There was less than 10 of us. It was the perfect way to 1) see the city 2) get a meal without having to think about it and 3) make some new friends.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was Dani and she was fabulous.

We made our travel arrangements with João and found him to be very responsive and helpful. He also provided a road book with good suggestions for restaurants and additional things to do. We were also pleased with the guides he set up. Joel gave us a thorough overview of the Lisbon neighborhoods. We enjoyed seeing some sights in the northern part of the city (the bullfighting rink),the walk through the Alfama. and visiting a few scenic overlooks. We were glad he encouraged us to see Belem and dropped us off there. Our guide Manuel gave us an enthusiastic tour of Porto. We especially liked learning about the architecture, including the visit to the Museu da Cidade. Glad we had a chance to visit the Bolhão market and hear some of Manuel's interesting stories about the history of Porto.
We had a great time on the visit João booked with Cork Trekking in the Alentejo - walking past the vineyards, the cork and holm oak trees, and learning about cork harvesting and production from our guide Celino. At the end of the day, it was nice to return to the peaceful and scenic lodging at Montimerso.

Our group of 8 had a wonderful time . Unfortunately four of us missed several tours and several people had to wait several days for their luggage but I spite of that we loved Portugal, found Nazare interesting and loved the convenience of all our transfers. Thanks to Rita and Karin for helping us get the documents we need to get reimbursed for hotel and tour expenses.

Kim Kim helped us to structure the trip and provided guides and drivers as well as interesting experiences. The most outstanding guide was Paolo, for our day in Sintra and along the coast. He was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. He understood that we like to walk and structured the day to include as much walking as possible. His wife, Anita, gave us the warmest welcome when we ate lunch at her restaurant in Sintra. We truly felt special and cared for. Another highlight was the lunch and wine tasting at Morgado Do Quintao. The food and wine were excellent and they were very attuned to our request for a vegetarian meal. The setting was magnificent, and the company of other guests provided for enjoyable conversation.

Our tour in the Duoro Valley with Pedro was also excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable about wine production, he made us a reservation at a wonderful restaurant for lunch, and he took us to some beautiful view points.

The car rental from Sixt was excellent; we had a brand new car and both pick and drop off went smoothly. One suggestion for improvement is that the directions for return of the car to the airport embedded in the Kim Kim app (where it says "click here for exact directions") were incorrect and gave a destination on Ave. da Liberdade. Fortunately we noticed that it was not at the airport and were able to find the correct directions ourselves.

The Porto food tour was the most disappointing activity. We enjoyed the company of the other people on the tour, but the food was terrible (other than the first stop at a small shop where they werved wine, cheese and sliced meat). In particular, the second stop was at a bar, where we ate in the basement and bugs hovered over the food. All of the food options there were pork and although they served us a "vegetarian" option of some sort of fish cake, it was inedible.

Hotel Reviews

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Outstanding location with easy access to beautiful walking paths along the cliffs and overlooking the ocean. Friendly and helpful staff and beautiful grounds. Large and comfortable room.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade

Lisbon

Front desk staff was extremely helpful. Room was comfortable. Location was central and felt safe.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Quinta de la Rosa

Pinhão

Gorgeous location. We took a walk in the vineyard, which was a highlight of our stay. Dinner in the more upscale restaurant was delicious, with a magnificant view of the Duoro River and terraced hillsides.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Teatro

Porto

Staff was friendly and location was convenient for walking to major sights.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Alex was knowledgeable and passionate about Lisbon and its history. He gave us an excellent overview of the city and the history of Portugal.

Hiking Excursion: Sintra, Pena Palace & Cabo da Roca

Lisbon

Our guide Paolo was outstanding. He is knowledgeable, pleasant to be with, and an excellent driver. He understood that we like to walk and he made sure to include as many opportunities for walking as possible. We were welcomed like long lost friends by his wife Anita when we had lunch at her restaurant in Sintra. We truly felt well cared for.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wine Experience in the Douro Valley & River Cruise

Douro Valley

The scenery in the Duoro Valley is amazing and Pedro was an excellent guide. He is extremely knowledgeable about wine and tried to teach all about Port wine. He made us a lunch reservation at an excellent restaurant and he took us to several beautiful overlooks.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Get to know Porto by E-bike

Porto

Our guide was patient and attentive and clearly concerned about our safety.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Foodie Experience in Porto

Porto

It was interesting to meet the other people in the group, who were all friendly and easy to talk to. However, the food aspect of the trip was poor. In particular, the second stop was at a bar where we sat in the basement and insects hovered over the food on the table. There were several of us in the group who do not drink beer, but this was the only beverage option there. The food served was all variations of pork. We had requested vegetarian food and we were served some sort of "fish" cake which was inedible.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

This was a fabulous trip. Of special note is the quality and flexibility of our guides. They were fantastic. Rachel was also flexible and responsive to all our questions and modifications. This was a great trip.

Hotel Review

Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa

Evora

I am recommending this to friends. The hotel and spa is beautiful as were the grounds and the service was outstanding.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Portugal

This was our longest and for me my most exhilarating day.

Quality of Experience

Our guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was knowledgeable , flexible, and fun to be around

Transport

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

This was such a good day. We learned so much about Lisbon .

Quality of Experience

Seeing so much of the city in a short time period.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

As I have said before , the quality, knowledge and flexibility of our guide made the difference.

Transport

Foodie Experience in Porto

Porto

This was a really good experience. We were able to try a variety of foods.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jeep Safari through a Cork Forest & Visit to an Olive Oil Estate

Portugal

The Cork Fork and Olive oil estate was amazing .

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

Our guide as excellent however the main was rainy and at times down pouring rain forced us to be indoors.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone was on time and flexible.

Transport

Lisbon Fado Dinner Experience

Portugal

Going to Fado was really fun and the food was good.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sweet and Tasting Évora Tour

Évora

This was not my favorite experience . The sweets tended to be too much at once.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

This was one of my favorite days. Our guide modified the trip by excluding the river cruise and it was the right call.

Quality of Experience

The visit to the winery and the wonderful meal

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Portugal to celebrate 15th wedding anniversary was well planned with in-depth conversation with Joao from Across Portugal. With ongoing conversation we were able to settle on points of interest and hotel arrangements efficiently and we really appreciated timely responses from Joao, which made us feel more comfortable in dealing with a travel agency we were not familiar with.

Even before our arrival, Joao texted and guided us, laid out detailed information on what to expect at the airport upon arrival. Upon arrival we were greeted with a Welcome Package of bottles of Porto and cookies and champagne! Each day he checked on us and reminded us of our upcoming schedule for the next day. Our drivers were on time and drove us in clean cars and Nelson, the driver we had the most, even got us a bouquet of flowers and a box of delicious chocolates on our anniversary date! Every hotel we stayed at also welcomed us with a celebratory bottle of champagne and fruit to help celebrate our wedding anniversary. What a way to make you feel special!

Our walking tour guides were also excellent too! Thank you to Margarida and Andre (Porto guide) were fantastic, engaging and very informative.

Thank you to Joao and his team at Across Portugal! We have travelled extensively around the world but Across Portugal's personal touch and services left us with wonderful memories of Portugal and unforgettable experiences throughout our journey across Portugal! Muito Obrigada!

Hotel Reviews

Grande Real Villa Italia

Cascais

Beautifully decorated hotel with large rooms. Needs slight updates but otherwise, excellent location and quiet.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very responsive to requests. Thank you.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was clean and tidy. The bed was so big :)

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

It's location was amazing! Close vicinity to walks around the cliff side...very quiet. If you wanted to go into town then you had to take an Uber but otherwise, excellent location for hiking and long walks.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

NH Collection Porto Batalha

Porto

Amazing location, clean but the room could have been slightly bigger.

Authenticity & Character

Nice boutique hotel but it uses strong fragrance in common areas.

Location

Walkabout distance to all areas. Fantastic location.

Staff

Staff working the breakfast was very efficient and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and well kept hotel

Heritage Avenida Liberdade

Lisboa

Great location, clean and quiet. Breakfast could have more variety; otherwise, service was fantastic!

Authenticity & Character

Clean boutique hotel

Location

A short distance to the major tourist sites and restaurants.

Staff

Very responsive to our requests and questions. Very helpful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nice firm bed. No odours. Very clean!

Activity Reviews

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

It was a private boat tour so we had ample space to relax and enjoy the ride. Also we felt safe and well protected.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Portugal

Driving through Douro valley to look at it's unique scenery was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Always interesting to try sip and discover tours of a well known winery. Wine tasting afterwards with cheese board made the experience even more memorable!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Farewell

Lisbon Int. Airport (LIS)

We were picked up and dropped off at the airport without any delay or issues. Much appreciated ample space in the car.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Portugal

Excellent private tour and delicious lunch at the restaurant. The food was delicious and the service was spectacular! What a beautiful winery!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Our guide, Andre, was very proud of Porto. As we walked through this beautiful town he explained the history and its different areas.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

The villa was beautiful and very interesting on the exterior, especially when the fog rolled in and covered the whole villa. The village around the villa was also very quaint and interesting but what we enjoyed the most was the services provided by our private driver, Nelson. We had the opportunity to ask Nelson questions about Portugal and what it is to be a Portuguese and he also provided a lot of interesting information about Sintra. Thank you Nelson!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Portugal was a special vacation for us. Since we don't like planned tours or large tour groups, it was important to be able to design an agenda that appealed to things we liked to do. Typically I do all of the planning, but after coming across kimkim, we thought that a local person who is familiar with the places we wanted to go would be even better. Helena did a great job of putting together a plan for us. She was open to making changes as we went along, and gave good suggestions. Her choice of hotels was fabulous! They were all of high quality, provided good service, and gave us a luxury environment. Having Helena take care of our train tickets and our rental car made it so easy for us.

Despite one "blip" with a pick-up from the train to the hotel, our transports were excellent. It was tricky to find our driver at the airport, but once we did, we were pleased. The issue we had was difficulty getting in touch with the company after our driver had left us at the station due to our train arriving late. The phone number we were given had been changed, and the automated message letting us know the new number was so fast that it took us listening to it three times before we could catch all of the numbers. When we called the new number, we were told that someone would be coming for us in 15 minutes and to wait inside of the station. We split up so as to not miss the driver, but nobody came. After yet another call, we were told that a black car would be there shortly; however, someone in a light colored vehicle showed up and then didn't know where we were going nor where the hotel was located. After speeding down narrow streets, we were finally let off at the top of a steep cobblestone street where we had to drag our suitcases down two blocks to our hotel. Later we learned that transportation companies and taxis are permitted to access the pedestrian street in front of our hotel. We were just grateful that none of us fell down the hill or were injured, but that was completely ridiculous! After being told on the phone by a kimkim representative, Carin that the company is one that is often used and the disbelief that the phone number had changed, I sincerely hope that kimkim reconsiders using the company in the future.

The tours and tour guides that were set up for us were very good. The guide to the Douro Valley, Joao Campos, was friendly, interesting and accommodating. We really enjoyed the boat ride, visits to a winery, and lunch at a quinto was a highlight for us. Out 3 hour tour in Porto with Sandra Tavares was not exactly what we expected. Sandra was energetic and knowledgeable, however, we walked for 80% of the tour. The classic car picked us up near the end of the tour which lasted almost 6 hours. We were able to see a lot of Porto, but at the end were left far from our next tour without transportation. The amount of walking was also very difficult for some of us to handle, and did result in soreness the next day. Right after the first tour, we had a walking food tour. Fortunately, when we told the guide that we were exhausted and not up for a lot more walking, she was able to accommodate us by using streets that were less steep. The places we visited were definitely off of the beaten path and the food was eclectic from wine and cheese to beer and dessert. We had a great time with the others on the tour who were from various countries. Driving to Evora, Lagos and back to Lisbon was very easy. We were sad that our balloon ride was canceled due to the weather, but that is out of our control. Evora was very interesting, and the hotel there was outstanding. We didn't stop at Coimbra, but opted to relax at the hotel instead. We enjoyed the tour with Jones. He was also personable and knowledgeable. Our only concern was that his vehicle was small for all of us and not very comfortable. He showed us the cork factory and an old town with a former palace that had wonderful views. In Lagos, our tour to see the sunset at St. Vincent's Cape in Sagres wasn't exactly as written. Pedro was not our guide, Miguel was. His vehicle was a loud jeep-like truck that didn't have seatbelts that worked consistently. He would drop us off and then go off to smoke. He had some crazy stories and really couldn't answer some of our questions. He was a nice guy, but we felt unsafe driving with him. He brought wine to the sunset, but no binoculars or chorizo, as promised. We did enjoy lunch at Morgado Do Quinto that we drove ourselves to. The hostess served plenty of food and wine, and gave everyone a tour of the property. She also told us about the grape vines, almonds and cacao trees. It was very good. In Lisbon, our guide, Jose Antunes, was very good. He knew a lot about the city and walked us to see sights without going into a lot of buildings. Our day was a bit hectic after that because we had to travel by Uber across the city to paint tiles with Ana which was very cool! After leaving there, we met Mariana who gave us a tour at the tile museum in Lisbon. She was excellent. She was well prepared and really knew about tile history. After that, we were back across the city to the Earthquake Museum which was so-so. I think we call were less impressed with that. Following the Earthquake Museum was the Banksy "Museum". We found it interesting to review his work over time, but it was a tiring day. Our final day we toured with Marta to Sintra and Cascais. She was friendly and also very knowledgeable about the area from a resident's perspective. We went to a park to see the palace there which was spectacular, but involved a lot of trail walking. Then we had lunch at a local restaurant where we tasted all types of meat. That was also interesting.

Our trip exceeded our expectations. We loved Portugal: the people, the food, the history and the scenery. The one thing that was a bit concerning was being given all of the options for our trip but not knowing how much each item cost separately. In some ways, it was good because we got to do what we wanted and had the experiences without worrying about the cost. In other ways, it would have been nice to have some choices that may have saved some money.

Raquel was flexible, organized and quite responsive to our changing needs. She selected city tours, food tours in Porto, Evora and Lisbon that steeped us in culture and history.

Portugal: History, Wine, and Sun-Soaked Coasts
Portugal offered a fantastic mix of historical exploration, delicious food, and stunning scenery. Here's a breakdown of my trip:

Porto: A guided tour with Tania provided a solid introduction to Porto's rich history and architectural beauty. We explored the Ribeira district and learned about the city's connection to Port wine.

Douro Valley: Nelson, our knowledgeable guide, led us through the stunning Douro Valley. We visited a family-owned winery for a personalized experience, learning about traditional Port production and enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal paired with their wines.

Matosinhos: This coastal town lived up to the hype. We indulged in some of the freshest seafood I've ever had – a must for any seafood lover.

Via Comburia & Évora: A day trip took us to these contrasting destinations. Via Comburia offered a glimpse into cork production, a significant aspect of Portugal's economy. Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, impressed with its Roman Temple and the haunting Capela dos Ossos.

Algarve & Benagil Caves: A trip to the southern Algarve region wasn't complete without a visit to the incredible Benagil Caves. The boat tour provided stunning views of these natural wonders. The region's abundance of fresh fruit, especially oranges, was a delightful treat.

Évora & Paulo's Pastéis: A day trip with Paulo included exploring Évora's castles and learning about their historical significance. The highlight was visiting his family's bakery in the old town for some truly phenomenal pastries – a perfect way to end the day.

Lisbon: We finished the trip in Lisbon, allowing time to explore the city at our own pace.

Overall: Portugal exceeded expectations. The combination of informative tours, delicious food and wine experiences, and breathtaking scenery made it a memorable trip. The hospitality of the locals, especially Tania, Nelson, and Paulo, added a personal touch that truly enhanced the experience.

Hotel Reviews

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Top-notch breakfast buffet

Authenticity & Character

Location

Need to have a car, which we did

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lovely view and very spacious

Portugal Boutique City Hotel

Lisbon

Not easy to get to by car but a lovely hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was the largest hotel room that I have ever had in Europe, very nice and comfortable

Évora Olive Hotel

Évora

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bed was very hard

Flores Boutique Hotel

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Portugal

Pauolo was great, very informative and friendly. We enjoyed spending time with him and meeting his wife at their shop in town. Castles we great as well as the Well of Initiation which I had always wanted to see. Unfortunately the weather was not very cooperative and it rained a fair bit of the time

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very friendly and fun to talk to

Transport

Loved the Tesla, roomy and comfortable

4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience

Portugal

We weren't quite sure what to expect with this tour. It had been cloudy all day so we were afraid that we would not see the sunset, but in the end it cleared up and we were able to see it. Our guide was fun and showed us some out-of-the-way places you would never know to see. Our dinner was very good, some of the best chicken we had the entire trip

Quality of Experience

Sipping sparkling wine and watching the sunset was lovely

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Funny and gregarious

Transport

Old truck, a bit uncomfortable and difficult to see out of if you are in the back

Guided Visit of Historic Coimbra

Portugal

We were slightly late due to our navigation system messing up. Nuno was very patient with us. He was extremely knowledgeable about the university and surrounding area. Interesting tour

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves

Portugal

Amazing view of the coastline and caves. Cool to go inside and see first hand. Well worth it

Quality of Experience

Very cool

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fun staff & captain

Transport

Boat is a little uncomfortable after a while

Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Porto

There were some interesting aspects to this trip, it was a bit more strenuous than we expected. I honestly enjoyed walking around in the Palacio Nacional da Pena (Pena Palace) in Evora far more. Rafael was a lovely guide and a very nice person. He showed us around the villages that still exist within the park which was interesting

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Very rough ride along the fire roads inside the park

Évora Cork and Castle Tour

Évora

Interesting. I did not know that there is so much to know about cork or how many places it is used

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bohemian Lisbon Private Food Walk

Lisbon

Filipa was lovely and we enjoyed some of the food along the tour. However, the final restaurant she left us at for our meal was terrible. It was loud, and packed and the food was just not good. We ended up leaving because we didn't want to insult the owners by not eating what they were bringing out

Quality of Experience

Food

Final restaurant was just not a good experience for us

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Because of the weather Nelson offered to take us to a Port winery vs doing the open River Cruise and we were glad we did. It was a lovely location and the port was excellent. The private tour of the family winery we went to was wonderful, really got to see and learned about how they produced their wines. Topped off with a private traditional lunch they made just for us. A lovely day

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nelson was great, really enjoyed talking with him

Transport

Nice relaxing ride

Private Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

Tania did a great job showing us the highlights of the city. But it was also done in a logical manner such that weren't constantly going up and down hill the whole time. She dropped us off near the river and suggested a place for lunch and called ahead for us to get us a table. She was very friendly and knowledgeable and gave us some unique insights into different aspects of the city

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market

Porto

This was a fun intro to the food and wine of Porto

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lisbon Tuk Tuk Food Tour

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Raquel did an amazing job booking our trip! We were impressed with the quality and efficiency of the hotels and outings booked. All went smoothly and we were delighted with all of our guides. It was a perfect trip!

Raquel and the entire KimKim team made our trip to Portugal perfectly unique to us and so seamless as we traveled across the entire country! Everything and more that we needed for our trip was provided and was extremely easy to use and follow. We have never used a travel planning service before, but we will for sure be recommending and using KimKim again to plan future trips!

Activity Reviews

Tour & Tasting at Taylor’s Port Cellar

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Porto

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Super friendly guide!

Transport

Lisbon Petiscos & Wine Tour

Lisbon

This was an amazing tour! We ate at small, local restaurants we never would have found on our own. Everything we tired was absolutely amazing and was some of our favorite food on out trip!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport