Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

My moms birthday trip was beyond what we expected. My mom wanted to travels to the Azores to experience where her grandparents had come from and Giorgia played a big role in creating a fabulous trip. She listened to all of the wants and needs for the trip and found the best tour guides on Sao Miguel...EVER!! Natacha and Vauchon were both with us for three days. The made the five of us traveling feel like part of their family and showed us all the amazing parts of Sao Miguel. We also did a walking food tour with a company called Hungry Whales and it was the right amount of sampling food and walking. The guides were very organized. The second island of Terceira we experienced a lovely town and beautiful winery. I can't wait to go back.

We had a wonderful visit to Portugal and a great experience planning our trip with Joao from Kimkim. I have to commend Rui for going above and beyond by spending more time than planned in providing us our visits between Lisbon and Porto, knowing he still had to drive back later from Porto than expected. He was so kind to care more about us than himself.
We also had a wonderful trip to the Duoro valley with Ricardo. Ricardo also went out of his way by stopping at a couple points of interest we missed in Porto due to the bad weather one of our nights there. Both he and Rui shared a lot of history with us and also chatted about all kinds of topics. So pleasant to be in their company.
Sandra our Tuk Tuk driver was also a lot of fun. And Pedro in Porto was a wealth of historical knowledge. Nuno also provided a nice day with a hike and lunch in Serra da Estrella. Our othertour guides in Lisbon, Evora and Lagos were also very nice and informative but I unfortunately do not remember their names.
All of our accomodations were very nice and everyone who met with us were prompt and pleasant people.
Joao checked in on us daily and responded to us promptly from the very beginning of planning our trip to even after we arrived back home to the US. Our trip felt very personal even when we were in very busy areas that many other tourists go. This helped to reduce a lot of stress.
I would definitely use Kimkim travel specialists again. They even included a few surprise treats along the way.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

I have to say the turkish bath and sauna spa at this hotel is fabulous. The room was spacious and the bed was so very comfortable.

Pousada da Serra da Estrela - Historic Hotel

Covilha

Beautiful location and views. So peaceful.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel is a remodeled TB sanitorium, kept to mimic the austerity of the buildings origin, but designed to provide you a very peaceful and scenic surrounding.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Britania Art Deco

Lisbon

The staff here were very polite and pleasant. The art deco decor made for nice and peaceful surroundings, taking you back in time. I want to also give extra kudos to the gentleman from Brazil ( whose name eludes me- perhaps Joseph ) who made us espresso martinis and made us feel very welcome.

Authenticity & Character

Restored to the art deco vintage style it was originally built.

Location

Centrally located

Staff

Very pleasant and accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

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

Portugal

We enjoyed our experience int he Douro Valley with a winery tour and lunch followed by a private boat ride on the river. The Pachega winery was a very nice place and scenic location. They shared with us some lovely wines during our tasting. Our driver took us to beautiful look outs too along the way.

Quality of Experience

A great day

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ricardo was a friendly and very accomodating driver

Transport

The van was clean and very comfortable

Private transfer from {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} with stops in Óbidos and Nazaré

Portugal

We had many amazing private tours on our trip, but I wanted to review this one because our driver Rui went above and beyond in providing us the chance to include Tomar on our way from Lisbon to Porto. This took a lot of extra time, and never once did he seem perturbed to have exceeded our 5 hour trip. He also suggested a restaurant in Tomar that was like being in the Taverna's of old. The Convent of Christ's church was beautiful. Amazing to imagine how it was built so long ago.

Quality of Experience

For us personally I think I would have liked to tour Tomar instead of Obidos

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rui was very accomodating and not just worried about his time

Transport

Nice clean Mercedes van

João was always helpful and patient with us and all of guides friendly and knowledgeable with special shout- out to Ricardo who taught us a lot about life in Portugal .
Our one complaint was with apartments in Lisboa. There was no one there to check us in and we waited outside for at least a half an hour before someone contacted us by what’s App. Someone should have contacted us ahead of time with virtual check in and out procedures. Although apartments are nice and in great neighborhood they are not ideal for tourists because of these issues as well lack of parking for drop off: pick up.
Other minor complaint with room in Porto which was quite small for 2 people

The trip was well planned and well executed. It was a full schedule with a good variety of activities to see some of the highlights of Portugal, but also with enough unplanned/down time for us to explore and relax on our own. The guides were knowledgable and enjoyable company (special shout out to Claudia) and the arrangements were always on target. A highlight was the private tour, tasting and dinning at Pacheca vineyard which I am sure we could not have experienced on our own. Excellent experience across the board.

Hotel Review

Eurostars Porto Douro

Porto

Very nice room, excellent location, and a rooftop terrace with a view that can't be beat!

Location

Activity Review

Exploring the Art of Pastel de Nata on a A Hands-On Culinary Group Experience

Lisbon

Class was well done, a lot of fun, results were delicious, and I learned how to make Pastel de Nata. Looking forward to baking more soon!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

What a terrific trip. We had beautiful weather and a great itinerary. Pedro and his team had a very detailed schedule and the avenues to communicate worked extremely well. We had some mixed results with the guides. Our city guide in Lisbon on the second day was a little indifferent and unfortunately, the scheduled guide in Eveora had a sickness and we had a replacement who we were disappointed with. The drivers were excellent with kudos to Carlos, Ricardo and Ivo!

The accomodations were nice with the Miragem in Cascais being the best. I would rate after that one, Porto, Lisbon, Lagos and then Evora.

Driving the 2nd week worked well with only a little confusion leaving the car rental at the airport. Highlights include the 2 boat rides. Winery in Porto was OK, but, the second winery with lunch was excellent.

Thank you for all your assistance!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

Incredible views and very nice accommodations

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Beautiful setting, but, looking a little tired. Needs some TLC

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MouraSuites Hotel

Largo da Porta de Moura, 7000-647 Évora, Portugal

Smaller hotel with parking that was confusing. Very nice staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Flores

Porto

Great location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Liberdade

Lisbon

Nice hotel with helpful staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Tickets to Pena Palace and Gardens

Portugal

Visiting the Pena Palace was a great experience despite it being crowded. The views from the palace were breathtaking. The guide, while knowledgeable, wasn't as personable, which slightly affected the experience.

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

The Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves was fantastic. The views of the caves were impressive, and the whole experience was a major highlight of the trip.

Private Douro River Escape: 1-Hour Exclusive Cruise

Portugal

The Private Douro River Escape was a highlight of the trip. The boat ride provided picturesque views and was truly enjoyable. I'd highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

To Eat Suggestion: O Faroleiro

Portugal

We had lunch there as we drove back. Didn't know it was the same that we had for dinner the last night in Cascais. No one was at the restuarant and our we thought it was closed. Our uber dropped us off a quarter mile passed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

What a beautiful country! Loved our trip to Portugal! Pedro set everything up perfectly and communicated with our group regularly during the trip. It was fun getting to know our wonderful drivers especially Carlos and Ricardo who gave us many tips. The guides were top notch-loved Claudia, Ricardo, and Catarina. Special memories include the Fado dinner in Alfama, the Pena palace in Sintra, the view of the bridges and river in Porto, and our visit to wine country in the Douro valley. Can’t wait to come back again for a visit!❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Exceptional Trip to Portugal!

Our trip to Portugal, planned by Pedro, was absolutely wonderful from start to finish. His attention to detail was outstanding — every hotel, driver, and activity was perfectly arranged. The accommodations were excellent, comfortable, and in ideal locations. The drivers were punctual, professional, and friendly, making every transfer smooth and enjoyable.

What truly made the trip unforgettable were our amazing tour guides, each knowledgeable and engaging — especially João, who brought the history and culture of Portugal to life with such warmth and enthusiasm.

We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Thank you, Pedro, for creating such a beautifully organized and memorable journey

Hotel Reviews

Grande Real Villa Italia

Cascais

Authenticity & Character

Location

OP

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

NH Collection Porto Batalha

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

O

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Authenticity & Character

Location

O

Staff

Pop

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heritage Avenida Liberdade

Lisboa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Douro River Escape: 1-Hour Exclusive Cruise

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pop

Transport

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

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Quality of Experience

M

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Authentic Portuguese Cooking Class – 3-Hour Small Group Experience in Lisbon

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

4-Hour Private Driver and Guide Tour of Belém with Jerónimos Monastery Visit

Lisbon

Joao was the absolute best

Quality of Experience

P

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P

Quality of Experience

P

Quality of Experience

P

Quality of Experience

P

Quality of Experience

P

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P

Quality of Experience

P

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P

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P

Quality of Experience

P

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transport

Transport

Transport

Transport

Transport

Transport

Transport

Transport

Transport

Transport

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Hi

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from your hotel to a unique Fado Experience

Portugal

Quality of Experience

O

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Jo

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

To Eat Suggestion: Pinóquio

Lisbon

One of the best meals we ate in Portugal .

Quality of Experience

No

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Highlights include the Pintxos food tour, excellent guide and good food. We both liked Ainsa and the Pyrenees where we had a wonderful hike. The city walking tours were good we got to see a lot of Porto and Lisbon. The recommendations for the small towns like Aveiro which had cool Art Nouveau architecture were really interesting, Overall the lodging locations were ideal and the breakfasts were really good.

Hotel Reviews

MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel

Lisbon

Great location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Costa D’Oiro Ambiance Village

8600-544

Far from everything and the bathroom was just a walled section a bit strange but there was access to a pool.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Évora Olive Hotel

Évora

This to me was the best hotel great location, great food, just a wonderful hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Oslo Coimbra

Coimbra

Great breakfast and good location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa dos Lóios by Shiadu

Porto

Great location just very small and a very tight elevator.

Authenticity & Character

Unique

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

El Rincón de Usana Zona Zero

Usana

Quite unique and very hospitable host with kitchen and hot tub just a bit far from Ainsa.

Authenticity & Character

Unique

Location

A little far from downtown

Staff

Very hospitable

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sercotel Codina

San Sebastian

The staff was really nice great breakfasts.

Authenticity & Character

Location

A bit far from the beach

Staff

Just very friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Miró

Bilbao

Great location

Authenticity & Character

Clean comfortable

Location

Close to museum

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

The guide was a bit tough to hear and I found the your a bit to heavy on the dates and facts but he knew a lot.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Secret Porto: Hidden Alleys and Stories

Porto

Well done

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat ride

San Sebastian Pintxo Experience

San Sebastián

Excellent, fun, and tasty, great group of people.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We found KimKim online and I reached out and Adam set up a meeting to discuss what we were looking for in our Girl's Trip to Portugal. Everything he planned was perfect! From the drivers to the accommodations. Everything was wonderful. We loved every part of what he planned and the description was spot on. The trip was beyond our expectations and I cannot wait to use KimKim again for another destination. I felt that I was fully prepared for the trip and every driver was communicative and always punctual.

Hotel Reviews

Otília Apartamentos

Lisbon

Perfect location. Walk up to the 6th floor was not great, but it was part of the experience

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Great location and restaurant was wonderful!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa de São Domingos

Peso da Régua

Beautiful! Breakfast was amazing and the location was close to town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walking distance to town and breakfast was amazing.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sintra Secret's & Cascais Shores – Pena, Regaleira & Cascais

Lisbon

Great guide and tour

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fado Walk, Show & Dinner

Lisbon

Guide was unprofessional.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ponta da Piedade by Boat Excursion

Lagos (Algarve)

BEST GUIDES EVER!!! And a perfect day and easy to find.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Lamego Day Trip

Portugal

Perfect guide and tour! Packed us wine and a picnic!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Half-Day Douro DOC & Vinho Verde Wine Tasting

Portugal

OUTSTANDING!!! Great vineyards and loved the combination of both.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Awesome

Douro Valley Hike

Portugal

Our guide was perfect. He was fluent in English and taught us about the culture.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

AMAZING!!!

Transport

AMAZING!!!

Our arrival in Portugal was seamless. Picked up at the airport by Jose and taken to the beautiful PortoBay Flores. Wehad a great evening walking tour with Andre. He was very knowledgable and shared much history with us. I must say I wasn't expecting all those hills! That said, I conquered. The trip to the Duoro Valley with wine tasting and lunch was spectacular. Philip made the day. Clearly he has a passion for this area and he shared that with us. I loved the family story behind the Quinta Do Roncao! Such love and warmth shared with us from Eunice, vineyard owner. Such a full and memorable day. The next day we were off to Lisbon. We were picked up by our driver, Albano. At our request, he was happy to make an unexpected quick detour to Obidos. We were so grateful. Such a beautiful place and we were thrilled to have had the opportunity to visit. In Lisbon we were taken to the Hotel Britania Art Deco. Yet another gorgeous, comfortable , welcoming place. Our tuk tuk tour with Catarina was a great way to get around and get the lay of then land. In the evening Pedro took us to enjoy dinner with Fado experience. Very enjoyable. Finally we had a fabulously full day in Sintra and Cascais. Nuno, so very passionate about the Pena Palace and its history and regailed us with so many stories of the past.He even managed to get us a visit at the Chalet of the Condessa d' Elda. Such an unusual and beautiful place and well worth the long walk from the palace. What can I say about the Initiation Well?? Certainly a site not to be missed, but very crowded. Though it was crowded the line did move along fairly quickly. So many experiences here in Portugal and I am sure I probably forgot some people or places. I'm exhausted!! The only thing I would have changed would have been taking 2 days in Sintra. We could have spent so much more time exploring that area. Guess we will have to come back. Thank you Adam for all your help and for keeping track of us while we were traveling.

Adam did a great job planning our trip for us, meeting all our requests and making us happy. His communication was amazing.

We started in Porto with a very nice walking tour showing us the highlights of the city and learning some of the history of Porto and Portugal.

Our Duro Valley wine tour was amazing. Philip was an very engaging and well informed tour guide who explained wine making and the regions during our drive. We got to experience some great wineries. like the Quinta de Roncao, which is a small family winery with a touching story and good wines. From there we took the boat tour and saw some of the big names in wine and pictouresque vineyards. We then visited Quinta dos Castelares where we had a truly exceptional guided tour and tasted some very good wines.

Our visit to Lisbon was exciting and full of fun and energy. Our Tuk Tuk tour gave us the highlights and some history of the city which was much more rounded out by our walking tour and visit to Sao George Castly. Andre was so well informed and made sure we saw everything we wanted and got the most of our day. The evenings Fado dinner was a true taste of the real Portugal. From our driver to the food to the singers it was a once in a life time experience that any visiting Portugal should have.

We ended our visit to Lisbon and the truly beautiful Sintra and Cascais. The Pena Palace and Regaleira are both unique, colorful and stunning beautiful regions of Portugal. Nuno gave us so much information and history of both locations and we were so happy. He even made sure we were able to visit the Chalet, which was not on the original tour but something we wanted to see.

We wish we had made more time to visit Portual and may return to experience all of this amazing country.

Pedro organized an amazing 10-day itinerary for our group of six in Portugal. All accommodations and activities were perfect. Throughout the journey, Pedro maintained regular communication to ensure smooth progress and offered timely assistance as needed.
Pedro did an outstanding job coordinating and communicating with our drivers and tour guides. Claudia led our Lisbon Historic Odyssey Private Walking & Tastings tour; Ricardo guided us through Pena Palace; and Catarina provided insightful commentary on Porto's Historic Odyssey Private Walking Tour. Each guide shared valuable knowledge about local history, culture, landmarks, and restaurant recommendations.
Drivers Carlos and Ricardo were a joy to ride with. Both enjoyed sharing information about landmarks, city histories, and dining options.
The trip included numerous memorable experiences, such as:
• A day excursion to Sintra, including a tour of Pena Palace.
• An impressive Fado Dinner at Mesa de Frades Restaurant.
• The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience, featuring a boat journey along the Douro River and concluding with a private tour, tastings, and lunch at Quinta da Pacheca Winery.
• A Hands-On Culinary Experience Baking Pastel de Nata

Scott

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

fabulous breakfast bar included and staff were helpful with recommendations

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eurostars Porto Douro

Porto

fabulous breakfast bar included and staff were helpful with recommendations

Authenticity & Character

Location

10 to 20 minute walk to majority of the activities in the city

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Vincci Liberdade

Lisbon

fabulous breakfast bar included and staff were helpful with recommendations

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Great place to stay

Activity Reviews

Private Douro River Escape: 1-Hour Exclusive Cruise

Portugal

A nice relaxing boat tour down the Douro River. Our guide did an amazing job of sharing the history of the area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Nice experience learning about Portugal's Port Wines.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Exploring the Art of Pastel de Nata on a A Hands-On Culinary Group Experience

Lisbon

A fun experience learning how to bake Pastel de Nata.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Claudia did an outstanding job of sharing the history of the city, culture, landmarks and recommending restaurants.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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

Portugal

The wine tour, tasting, and lunch were amazing. Wine and food were outstanding. I recommend this be a must stop in travel plans.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Portugal

Highly recommend doing this The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ricardo was a joy to ride with. He enjoyed sharing landmarks, history of the cities we drove through and recommending restaurants

Discover Sintra with a Private Guide and Driver – 8-Hour Tour with Skip-the-Line Access to Pena Palace

Portugal

Ricardo was our guide for Pena Palace tour. He did an amazing job of explaining the history and culture

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ricardo was an amazing tour guide

Transport

Carlos was a joy to ride with. He enjoyed sharing landmarks, history of the cities we drove through and recommending restaurants

4-Hour Private Driver Service in Belém

Lisbon

Carlos was a joy to ride with. He enjoyed sharing landmarks, history of the cities we drove through and recommending restaurants.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Portugal

Our party of 6 enjoy the Portuguese culture Fado dinner experience. Highly recommend seeing this Fado experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Lisbon

Catarina did an outstanding job of sharing landmarks, history of the cities we drove through and recommending restaurants

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

To Eat Suggestion: Pinóquio

Lisbon

Their menu had many options to select from. We had a party of 6 and we all enjoyed our dinner.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pedro did a great job putting together the itinerary for our group of 6. All the hotels had fabulous breakfast bar included and staff were helpful with recommendations. Pedro also arranged for our drivers - Carlos & Ricardo and tour guides - Claudia, Ricardo & Catarina who were all wonderful, sharing the history of the cities, culture, landmarks and recommending restaurants. Favorite restaurants - Tasca da Esquina - Lisbon (thx Pedro) and O Bolotas in Coimbra for roast pork sandwich, chips & sparkling wine (thx Ricardo). Top notch trip!!

I have used Kim Kim twice for planning trips. My experience could not have been more different for each trip.

The reason is that Kim Kim simply assigns your trip to a local travel agent for each trip. They do little quality control or monitoring or supervising to see if planning or execution of the trip is proceeding well. So it’s the luck of the draw as to whether or not things work out.

My first trip to Portugal was spectacular. Our trip was assigned to an agency who carefully listened to what we wanted to do, found the perfect guide, transportation and accommodations based on what we said we wanted and stayed in touch with us throughout the planning process and the actual trip.

Our second trip to Portugal was assigned by Kim Kim to a different travel agent, located in another country. That trip turned out to be a miserable experience. Among the problems:

1. The transfers provided by that agency were hit and miss. One transfer did not have a child seat as we requested. One transfer didn’t show up at the airport when it was supposed to. One transfer dropped our party off at the wrong hotel, leaving the party to walk in the pouring rain to the correct hotel in the middle of the night. Another transfer was given the wrong address by the travel agent, miles away from the right villa in the Algarve.

2. This travel agent demanded full payment early on in the process but would not turn over travel documents until a few days before the trip. When I finally received the documents (accommodations and transfer details), the booked tours and transfers were still incomplete.

I asked for a preliminary itinerary with details a month before the trip (three months after I had paid for the trip) so that our three families could get together to discuss them. Not only was it not provided, but no one even replied to me from the assigned travel agency. The agent simply ignored me.

3. The travel details provided days before
the trip included very problematic issues. For instance, the details said that often flights that time of year were full and it took longer than an hour to go through customs and immigration. It ALSO said that your transfer companies would not wait longer than an hour and, if that happened, you were on your own. Had I known this way back before I was made to pay the bill in full, I would have foregone the transfers and just gotten Ubers at the airport. What a racket. They make you pay for the transfers then, right before the trip, tell you that you will probably be too late to get the transfers and have to get an Uber anyway.

4. When we experienced the many issues with this trip, often the travel agency was closed and you had to solve the problem yourself.

5. Early in the planning process, I asked for private tours. I got drivers with varying degrees of knowledge. Only one of several was a tour guide with substantial knowledge and information.

I loved Kim Kim after my first trip to Portugal but I will not use them again. Kim Kim’s success is only as good as the random agency they assign you to.

Hotel Review

Vincci Baixa

Lisbon

The hotel was okay but the location in Lisbon was different from the area I initially requested.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Finding us a hotel where I requested the location,

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Privately Guided Visit of Belem

Lisbon

This guide was excellent along with the provided coach.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Day Excursion to Óbidos, Nazaré & Fátima

Portugal

The driver/guide knew little about the destinations and left us to ferret out information in each location.

Pedro did an excellent job setting up, coordinating and communicating details about our Portugal Trip.

The airport transportation, the various tours and the transportation to/from the various locations we visited were all executed flawlessly. In addition the restaurant and activity suggestions were very helpful.

The tour guides (Claudia, Ricardo & Catarina) and main drivers (Carlos & Ricardo) that Pedro hired all did a fantastic job.

We really enjoyed our trip and all the arrangements. Favorite things: The walking tours, Ricardo our Porto driver, our Porto hotel, the football match, and the ebike experience. The restaurant suggestions were very good. Diana and team helped us make some last minute adjustments which we appreciated and they were super organized reminding us every evening about the details of the day ahead.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisbon

This hotel is nicely located near key sites and shopping. The staff was wonderful. We had a junior suite (Room 610), which was a king bed with a sitting room. Very nice! We enjoyed the breakfast and all day coffee and water. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is the hotel is a bit dated in its furnishings. So the facility is 4 star but the experience was 5 star.

Authenticity & Character

V. Nice older hotel

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Condes de Azevedo Palace

Porto

We loved our apartment style room in this historic hotel. The staff was great and the furnishings very beautiful. We discovered the stunning rear garden too late to use it but it is lovely! The location of the hotel was very convenient.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

To Eat Suggestion: Cervejaria Trindade

Lisbon

We enjoyed this restaurant, but on another night we went to Barrio do Avillez - Pateo for dinner and we liked that quite a bit more. The vibe was more fun.

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

We went to Sintra on a spectacular day and the palace is incredible. We had skip the line tickets which was great, but you are really just skipping the entrance line, not the main line that snakes throughout the palace rooms. Its a very congested experience. We walked over to the Moors castle and enjoyed that. We then - with some struggling - found the walking path down to the town and ate at the perfect restaurant for a late lunch: Tascantiga. The food was delicous and we were lucky enough to sit outside at a lovely table. Our improvising made things a little challenging for our driver, who did not seem very happy about our changes in plan.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

the car was very nice! The vans with split seats (vs. bench seats) in the passenger row are much more comfortable!

To Eat Suggestion: Tapabento

Porto

We loved the vibe of this place and the food too!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cascais-Sintra Exclusive E-Bike Adventure

Portugal

We had to shorten our ride duration from 3 hours to 2 but our guide (the company owner!) adjusted and was awesome. My husband said he wasn't really looking forward to the bike trip but afterward it was one of his favorite activites. The ride along the beach was spectacular. It was our first time on e-bikes -- they are wonderful and easy!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

loved our guide

Transport

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Portugal

We were worried this might be a cheesy tourist experience. It definitely is for tourists but it was also very fun and the music and service were great. Our food was also good.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Two-Hour Private River Cruise in the Picturesque city of Porto

Porto

Quality of Experience

It was grey and rainy so unfortunately not the best day for boating.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The boat and the crew were great - friendly and knowledgeable.

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hector and team was very responsive and communicated well both during our trip and planning it. We should have spent more time reviewing hotels and tours before booking them to ensure travel styles were better understood.

Highlights of the trip: 1) Douro valley day trip with Bruno 2) Catamaran tour of Bengali caves in the Algarve and 3) Pena Palace with Oriana as our guide and walking through the pathways to get to the palace. Going into the palace could have been skipped as well as the drive to Cascais since it was really just a touristy resort town.
The tuk tuk tour in Lisbon of west Belém was a complete waste of time and money and would not do that again!

Overall the tour was good, just not sure of value for money but was an easy trip with everything well planned and always with support available. Trip plan app was helpful although the info was sometimes inaccurate - for example, 2 hours for a 4 hr tour or 6 hrs for an 8-9 hr tour. We had to cancel dinner plans one night because we arrived back too late.

Hotel Reviews

Flores Boutique Hotel

Porto

The Flores Boutique Hotel in Porto was excellent. The location was very convenient, and what really stood out was their charming outdoor restaurant/cafe area where you could sit and enjoy a meal or a drink. It was probably the best hotel experience of the trip.

M'ar de Ar Aqueduto

Évora

It was okay, a little tired and well used. Rooms could have been cleaned better on arrival, drapes were broken and shampoo, shower gel etc were not filled in the shower.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Within the old city walls next to the aqueduct.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness

Lagos Avenida Hotel

Lagos

This hotel looks better in the pictures! Bathroom privacy is a problem, and reception desk help could have been better, making errors and not providing solutions to problems until we talked with a manager or our travel / tour company. As mature adults, this does not meet expectations of a 4 star hotel. Also, there’s no parking if you have a rental car and no one to help with luggage. Pool area is not luxurious at all and rather stark, but the positive is its fantastic restaurant and breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cente

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Small Group Excursion to Sintra & Pena Palace

Lisbon

This is a full day tour. Peña palace was enjoyable and we found a nice Italian restaurant away from the touristy restaurant scene that was recommended by the guide. Oriana was a good guide and walked us up to the palace through the trees and park, rather than the direct straight path uphill. Nice walk in the morning to the palace. Going through the palace is a little like herding cattle..it was just ok.

Quality of Experience

No

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full van of 8 people, a little tight

Catamaran Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach

Portugal

Great experience and weather day! The catamaran could hold 80+ people and there were only 10 of us, so made for an enjoyable day to take in the beautiful scenery. Guide and staff were friendly and lunch was decent. Some jumped into the water for a swim and paddle board…water was cold but refreshing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Go West to Belém TukTuk Tour

Lisbon

This was not a good tour, granted it was a cool, grey day but it was just a drive through a neighborhood in a tuk tuk. The driver didn’t talk much other than to tell us that there was some kind of running race going on so he wasn’t going to drive us up near the monastery. We could have walked up to it thru a tunnel if we wanted, but he didn’t encourage it really.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon Fado Dinner Experience

Portugal

Pleasantly surprised that the experience was really good overall. Food quality was great and the music / performances were well paced and timed around courses.

Quality of Experience

Food

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

Porto

Good day with a great small group. Bruno, our guide, was engaging and fun with a lot of knowledge to share. Lunch on a hilltop overlooking the valley was good, especially the fish!

Quality of Experience

Food

Fish at lunch was good, the beef looked inedible

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was a full van of 8 people - more comfortable if it was 6 but was a fun group

Bruno who took us on the wine tour was fantastic. He could have slowed down his driving a bit. But other then that he was the best.

Everything went so smoothly. The hotel was exceptional and all transportation on time. Our local guides; Nelson, Rui, and Pedro were so knowledgeable, accommodating, and personable. The cooking class with George was so much fun. The only thing I might change is leaving 30 minutes later for the airport as we had to wait for it to open for checkin.

Thanks Helena for making all the arrangements!

Hotel Review

Pestana Porto - A Brasileira

Porto

Staff were so friendly, breakfast was exceptional, and room was luxurious. Appreciated the hotel restaurant for evening drinks and food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Excursion: Braga & Guimarães

Porto

Pedro was a perfect guide and understood when we asked to return to Porto a little earlier to rest up for our early morning flight. We were fortunate to be in Braga during the fun university hazing activity. We loved the family restaurant he took us to for lunch in Guimares. The food was delicious and plentiful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Rui was a great guide and very accommodating of our needs. The restaurant he recommended for lunch was great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

Learned so much and Nelson was very accommodating of my limited mobility.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Porto Cooking Class

Porto

We had so much fun with George and the food selections were so fresh and yummy.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We had a great time in the Azores. Marina was super helpful in taking the standard trip packages and working with us to tailor it to our interests - more food, less guided hikes etc. She was flexible in working with us when we wanted to book some hotels with miles but still keeping all the elements of the trip in the "plan" that was provided even those that we booked ourselves. She was able to book flights, rental cars, a few transfers and the bike and food tours. When the food tour had adjustments due to availability she and the team came up with great alternatives. On the ground when weather impacted the trip the team was responsive in communicating with us about potential changes in schedule or not. It was very reassuring to have locals on the ground able to help out even with questions.

Activity Review

Eat With a Local in Azores

São Miguel Island

Perfect combination of city tour, interesting food locations and local wine experiences. We went back to 2 of the places we saw on the tour!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff