Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

From Castelo S Jorge in Lisbon, then Sintra with its fabulous Palacio de Pena to Cabo de Roca, then walking along the westernmost point in Continental Europe, then Cascais along the harbour, we had a fantastic time. Our guide Anabela was thorough and lovely, and our driver Rui, were both wonderful! Tiernan, our local specialist provided us with a great 4 day itinerary.

Overall, it was an excellent trip. We loved Portugal! The people are very welcoming. The country is beautiful and very historic. We enjoyed the hills and mountains, rivers and sea, sandy coastline and rocky shores, delicious food and excellent wines. The fresh fish was a real treat! I had never tasted fresh sardines before. Yum!

Lodging:
- The Laranjais in Porto was lovely. Good location in a quiet part of town that was walkable to everything. The rooms were perfect. Comfortable, stylish, and spacious. The yoga mats were a nice touch! We liked the charming style. The service was good.
- The Legendary in Lisbon was comfortable but generic. It was in a nice part of town and walkable to the downtown.

Tours/Excursions:
- The tour guides were all excellent. However, most of the tours started very early and took up the whole day. We should have planned more downtime and time to sleep late since we needed to relax on our vacation!
- In Porto we would have preferred a city tour that showed us the sites, introduced us to the culture, and gave us a briefer introduction to the story of the tiles.
- The Douro Valley was beautiful. The ride on the river was lovely. The wine, vineyards, food were good. It was very hot there, so being in the wine caves was helpful! The first vineyard taught us about tasting. We liked the way they sat us down for a few different varieties with some snacks. The guide in the second vineyard was excellent, and the port was top quality. We loved the graciousness of that space. It was a grand old home.
- We enjoyed the day in Braga and Guimarães. The walk through the grounds of the Bom Jesus do Monte grounds was beautiful. Great views too! We had time to explore the town too. The very old castle in Guimarães was really interesting. Excellent traditional Portuguese lunch with the group!
- We are really glad we asked to see Nazaré! Even though there weren’t any waves at the beach, it was gorgeous! That was our first glimpse of the sea in Portugal. We just wish we had been told that the walk to the beach was 10 minutes from the top where our driver left us to wander around. We didn’t find the path until just before we had to be back at our meeting point. We would have walked on the beach, and I would have gone for a swim! By the way, we drove by Óbidos, but we didn’t stop since we needed to be back in Lisbon by 1 PM.
- The Highlights of Lisbon was a fun tour — mostly driving around with a bit of walking. We got a good sense of the history and the parts of town we wanted to return to (especially Alfama). My husband was excited to learn that the Volta à Espanha / Vuelta a España starts in Lisbon this year. Sadly for us, the first stage started the day after we left.
- The kayaking, snorkeling, caving, and cliff jumping day in Portinho da Arrábida was by far the best day! The tour guide was a great host. Very enthusiastic and energetic. We felt like we were seeing some things that were off the beaten path. It was fabulous to be on the water. He treated us to homemade lunch on the beach afterwards. And he offered us wine and port as well. The water was a perfect temperature and not too rough.
- The palace in Sintra is definitely worth seeing, and the town is beautiful and very old. It’s lovely to walk on the paths in the cool forest. We enjoyed visiting Cascais where we got to wander around to find our own lunch. Then we went for a swim. I am glad we went there, but it was VERY hot!
- We were very happy to have a full morning in Lisbon before leaving for the airport. We got to walk around a bit, although it was very hot (99 degrees F). We got to taste delicious gelato! The night before, we walked from the hotel to Alfama for dinner and back. It was a perfect night. Over 6 miles round trip!

Hotel Reviews

Laranjais Boutique Suites & Apartments Porto

Porto

Highly recommend the Laranjais. It’s a quiet boutique hotel with apartments in a quiet part of the old city of Porto. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable. It’s in 2 old buildings across the street from each other. They are tastefully renovated. Although the hotel does not have a fitness center, they provide yoga mats in each apartment, and there’s plenty of space for exercising. The views out the French windows are charming. Excellent restaurants are just steps away. Breakfast is vegan (which is not required for us, but we appreciate sustainability).

Authenticity & Character

Tastefully renovated.

Location

Quiet part of the old city. Up the hill from the river.

Staff

Gracious and accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Just right!

Legendary Lisboa Suites Apartments

Lisbon

The hotel is comfortable but generic. It lacks charm. Also, the bathroom is not ergonomic. The door, sink, and toilet are too close to each other. It’s also a bit outside the old part of town. Next time, we’ll try to find a more interesting place to stay — perhaps in one of the old neighborhoods.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Arrábida Kayaking & Snorkeling Day Trip

Lisbon

Highly recommend! The beach at Portinho da Arrábida is beautiful. The tour guide is energetic and fun. We loved kayaking, snorkling, cliff jumping (optional, not that high, not so scary), and caving. We also were treated to a simple homemade lunch on the beach afterwards. Plus, we had a chance to swim in the ocean. The sea was calm, and the water was cool and refreshing. The beach was huge and not crowded.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Azulejos Walk

Porto

The Guided Azulejos Walk was too focused on tiles for my taste. While the guide was knowledgeable and took us to interesting places like a guitar shop, the tour was overwhelmingly about tiles. I would have preferred learning more about the city's history, landmarks, and cultural spots, rather than such a specific focus.

Douro Valley Day Trip with Wine Tastings & River Cruise

Porto

The Douro Valley Day Trip was lovely, especially the wine tastings at two different vineyards. It was very hot that day, making the river cruise feel like hot air was being blown in our faces, but the beautiful scenery and welcoming people at the vineyards made up for it. Overall, it was a very enjoyable day.

Sintra Day Trip with Visit to Pena Palace

Lisbon

The Sintra Day Trip was interesting, although very crowded at the palace. We loved the little town and found beautiful paths through the woods, but didn't have enough time to explore them fully. I wish the guide had given us more information about what to do and see in Sintra, as we missed out on some great spots. Nonetheless, it was worth seeing and enjoyable.

Amazing just doesn't come close to the experience we just had on our Portugal trip!
Helena, was pivotal in making this a reality with memories we will cherish for a lifetime. From the beginning she planned our holiday with the professionalism I've not seen with any travel group. Kim Kim can be proud to have her on your team.
Every detail, communication, and trip updates were handled promptly with a flair we admired most about her. She was almost part of the family. We only wish she could have traveled with us. Sue and I would not hesitate to recommend Her expertise and the Kim Kim Group as a whole to anyone.
Some Special Reflections on our Guides!
Porto - Luis Ferreria is one of the most knowledgeable historians I've ever met. He shared his experiences with each venue we attended. From the history of Porto, the Olive Oil and Wine tasting, Port Wine tour and tasting; Luis added color to each one. Even sent us some pictures he took along the way. What a Day!
Duro Valley- Nelson. WOW, nothing but raves about this very talented guide and now a friend. He went way out of his way to make this day very special. His knowledge of this region and those who live and work there was very special. Our lunch and wine tasing experience with Rafael Rangel one if the wine co. owners was very special. He opened his home and his family to our group. We will not soon forget this afternoon and day tour.
Lisbon, Fatima, & Nazare with Rui Queiroz was very special as well. The Shrine and Cathedral at Fatima was breathtaking. The rest of the day was filled with awesome visits to Nazare and the beauty of its beaches. Lunch was great. Rui knew the best places. Lobster rolls and fresh fish.
Sintra- Paulo Pires. Another extortionary guide experience. His knowledge was also over the top. The little extras like coffee and pastry was a nice touch. Lunch with the locals was really fun. Views of the furthest western point in Portugal and the lighthouse was a great ending to a super day.
There were just to many wonderful moments with these professionals to name them all.
From transfers, Hotels, Tour guides all were perfect without a hitch. Not possible without the super planning by Helna and her Kim Kim team.
Thanks to everyone for making this trip one we will never forget.

Hotel Reviews

Memoria Porto FLH Hotels

Porto

Clean, comfortable, friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Old City charm

Location

Central to our tours

Staff

Courteous, friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perfect

Memoria Lisboa FLH Hotels

Lisboa

Lots of steps but very authentic

Authenticity & Character

Fits the city culture

Location

Central to our tours

Staff

Friendly courteous

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perfect all areas

Activity Reviews

Vintage Car Tour of Porto

Porto

Really special a great way to see the city rather than the regular hop on hop off venue

Quality of Experience

See the commentary above

Guides, Drivers and Staff

See commentary above

Transport

Timely and clean

Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Quality of Experience

See individual write up

Guides, Drivers and Staff

See individual write up

Transport

See individual Write up

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

See individual Write up

Quality of Experience

See individual Write up

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Portugal

See individual write up

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The trip was amazing and we felt cared for during the entire experience. Pedro was always readily available to assist, even during his own time away. The guides and drivers were all extremely knowledgeable and professional. Henrique Pepe was especially helpful and kind.

Would recommend your service to family and friends.

João helped us plan the perfect honeymoon! We had an amazing time exploring the cities of Portugal and relaxing on the coast! Each activity was planned with care and the team even provided little surprises along the way such as a wine and cheese tasting at the end of our walking tour. João and the across Portugal team were always great about checking in on the support chat they set up and quickly responded to any changes or issues along the way. The itinerary he planned was perfect we only wish we could have stayed even longer! We highly recommend João and across Portugal!

Tiago created a perfect trip for us. It was a great balance of big city and smaller historic ones, plus beautiful countryside. He managed to make an itinerary that kept everyone happy- my husband, myself, and our 3 kids, aged 21, 19 and 15. A big challenge and Tiago was definitely up for it.
The hotels we stayed in were a great deal for the price, just quirky enough to be interesting but still had all the modern amenities.
Our tour guides were all fantastic, spoke perfect English, and were incredibly knowledgeable about local sites and history.

Henriquee pepe outstanding very service oriented to what thoughts we had and made efforts to make happen and gave ideas like Porto sunset on the river. Guides in each area knowledgeable explained what we were doing and going gave recommendations adapted to us Lisbon we had gone to castle st Jorge so changed what she would do asked where two mishaps gerez national park I feel one needs to be clear about the concern for safety and because our mentalodel of national parks diffetent. We were asked to go to to Algarve airport early because of concern for accident with 3000 in ilets wr got there 3 hours early and did not seem necessaryit would work to leave us.sarah in Porto great stayed with us at bookstore in evora joao had the greatest stories kept granddaughter and friend entertained. Young man in Funchal kind and great the metcado fruit merchant peeled and gave fruit tasting to all of us plus chocolate shop. It felt personal and thoughtful. Ricardo in Porto great also.

Activity Review

8H Private Driver to Gerês National Park

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Our visit to Gerês National Park was a bit underwhelming. We expected to go hiking on some trails and swim in lagoons, but the actual plan seemed different from what we assumed. The guide took us around a village and explained the myths about wolves, which was interesting, but not what we were anticipating. The driver mentioned that the trails were treacherous, although we were prepared for hiking. It seems there was a misunderstanding between our expectations and what was planned. Unfortunately, this caused some disappointment, especially for my daughter, as we didn't get to enjoy the natural beauty in the way we had hoped.

Our trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco was exceptionally well planned and executed thanks to Rita and the KimKim team. We were blown away by the level of support she provided both before and during the trip. She created a really amazing itinerary and then patiently made changes and improvements to it a number of times before we locked on a plan and booked the trip! She really listened to our requests and suggestions and went the extra mile for us to fit in the things that mattered most. The local guides she connected us with were so great and the drivers made us feel safe and supported on the ground. Every single details was attended to with care and we loved having the app and chat access to Rita throughout our travels. Cannot recommend highly enough!

Hotel Reviews

Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments - Madrid Suites

Madrid

Spacious accommodations and good location - be aware there are no amenities onsite since it's an apartment vs hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The front desk went the extra mile to help us arrange airport transportation.

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Teatro

Porto

Beautiful hotel in a terrific location! Great front desk staff and concierge. The hotel breakfast is just LOVELY. Nice extra touches in the rooms - our suite even had an incredible balcony with lounge chairs! The fitness center is a partner property a 5 minute walk away and was very minimal.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pestana Lisboa Vintage

Lisboa

The location just off Avenida da Liberdade is great. Rooms were nice but not exceptional. Instant coffee in the rooms was disappointing but the hotel breakfast more than makes up for it! The elevators are small and slow - good chance to take the stairs and get some extra steps :)

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Belmar Spa & Beach Resort

Lagos

This is more of a condo-style hotel with plenty of space including a living room, dining table, kitchen, washing machine and drying rack. One of our rooms had a lovely view of the pool and the other had walkout access directly to the pool. It was an easy walk to the public beach. The onsite restaurant had a great breakfast buffet and the hotel fitness center was well equipped. We were a bit removed from other activities at this location so be prepared to drive or call an Uber.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Le Pèlerin

Marrakech

We absolutely loved the design and decor of this riad and the staff was so attentive! The traditional breakfast was delicious and our every need was attended to. We were grateful that they met us at the street and helped get our baggage to the property since it was not accessible by car. During a trip that took us to three countries and 5 cities this was our favorite hotel experience of all.

Authenticity & Character

Instagram-ready!

Location

Really central - just be aware you need help getting luggage as a car cannot get you all the way to the door.

Staff

We adored Mustapha who was the consummate host!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Tapas Culinary Experience

Madrid

We loved our guide and getting to share this experience with another family - the places we visited were good but I wouldn't say great in terms of the tapas served.

Quality of Experience

Food

the specific restaurants visited - the food was ok but not great

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Algarve Kayaking Trip to Benagil Caves

Portugal

The kayaking experience was exceptional! We enjoyed paddling through scenic waters, which offered both adventure and tranquility. This activity provided a perfect blend of excitement and relaxation, making it a highlight of the trip.

Fado Dinner Experience

Lisbon

The Fado experience in Lisbon was a bit of a letdown for me. While the food was fine, the overall atmosphere felt overly touristy and lacked the authenticity I had hoped for.

Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour

Portugal

The tuk tuk tour was amazing! We enjoyed hopping on and off our tuk tuk through the city's streets. This activity offered a unique and enjoyable way to explore the city, making it a memorable part of our trip.

Trip was nice. Only recommendation is providing addresses for the train stations and meeting points for the tours. There were some room for error there. Also worth noting connecting train in between Lisbon and Algharve is only 2 mins. We missed this train as we didnt think we would have to rush over, not to mention the initial train was delayed making it even more difficult to connect in time. Overall tour guides were great. We could have benefited also from having better directions on where to meet our driver on last day at train station in Lisbon. It was a huge station with many directions to go for pickup. More communication there would have been helpful. Thank you

Tiago was great and this service was great. I really appreciated not having to look at bills each step of the way, and especially enjoyed not having to choose and book anything. That part of vacations is not fun for me so I was happy to try outsourcing it for the first time-- It was cool how Tiago provided several daily excursion ideas but we could opt in or out of these which worked well for my family. Sometimes, we are not all ready to move and explore in jam-packed fashion. The experience of answering the questionnaire, then reviewing draft itineraries and making adjustments was perfect. We enjoyed the help and accessibility of Tiago and also the few booked local guides/experiences. All in all, the trip exceeded our expectations and was a good value for us. I can't wait to do another one!

Hotel Reviews

Mercure Porto Centro Aliados

Porto

great location. good food. cute room. nice service. no complaints whatever!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ventozelo Hotel & Quinta

São João da Pesqueira

great location again, beautiful views, nice pool, and great meals.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Albergaria do Calvário

Évora

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Belmar Spa & Beach Resort

Lagos

huge suite but views were only ok.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

for example, regarding getting laundry done, I got mixed info from different staff, and there was the issue of my 13-year old son not being allowed to go to gym with his Dad. Service was not particularly warm. Oh, also the am breakfast buffet guy was a big judgemental when i came down to get coffee to go every am.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisboa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Port Wine Cellars & Tasting Experience

Porto

fun, learned a little history, drank a little wine, enjoyed other patrons, and providers alike

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

we transported ourselves-- walking there and were slightly late, and then we got a tuk tuk back which was fun

Kayaking or Stand Up Paddling in the Algarve

Portugal

very fun and great way to see the scenic coast, caves, etc., in an active, participatory way

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

the main talking guy talked a bit too much...

Transport

Cascais & Sintra Guided Visit

Portugal

Our guide was very nice, helpful, and good company for the day!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I am so thankful that I found Kim Kim whose service connected us with Joao in Portugal. He and his team planned our fabulous trip. Joao was responsive and attentive to our desires for the trip and he was so easy to work with. He planned the perfect itinerary for our 13 day trip which included walking tours, wine tastings, boat trips and personal drivers for our day trips to Sintra, the beautiful Douro Valley and for the long drives from city to city. Each person Joao connected us with were passionate and professional in the service they provided. They gave us extra history and knowledge of the beautiful Portuguese culture as we drove from town to town. In addition, the Hotels Joao chose for us were fantastic! Joao and his team's attention to detail and the daily check ins and reminders of the next day's events truly made our trip stress free and fun-filled. Thank you Kim Kim and Joao for coordinating such a magical vacation!

Hotel Reviews

PortoBay Liberdade

Lisbon

Great location and service in a beautiful setting. The breakfasts were amazing!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maison Albar - Le Monumental Palace

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cascade Wellness Resort

Lagos

Good get away hotel for relaxation

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

hotel is a little dated- needs updating

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

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

Lisbon

Anna was a great guide who immersed us in the history and culture of Lisbon. and then it was followed by a delicious wine tasting. This was a highlight of our stay in Lisbon

Quality of Experience

A great way to get acclaimated to the city

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Anna was a fantastic guide- very knowledgeable and fun to be with

Transport

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

This was a great day trip. However, we chose to skip the Pena Palace, which is new, and instead toured the National Palace which dates back to the 1300's. We also toured Regalaria and enjoyed the beautiful gardens. We also toured the town and the various shops. A wonderful day trip not to be missed

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nelson, our driver, was a highlight of this day trip. The service he provided was exceptional and his knowledge of the area very deep.

Transport

Nelson

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

We had a fabulous guide who was passionate about Porto and the history of Portugal. He gave us a thorough tour of the city

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bernardo was a fantastic and passionate Walking tour guide!!

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

Portugal

A wonderful day trip to be immersed in the beauty of Douro Valley and its history. Not to be missed!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Scenic Voyage along the Douro River aboard an Exclusive Boat

Portugal

We loved our boat tour with Nuo Nu...... the champagne was icing on the cake! We only wish it was longer!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Portugal

We loved our tour, lunch and tastings in the beautiful setting of this Winery. Carlos was a fantastic tour guide and teacher.

Quality of Experience

The setting, the food and the wine!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

A fun filled boat trip to the Grottoes. A wonderful way to see them and to photograph them.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They were fun ad knowledgeable---Bruno and Catarina

Transport

To Eat Suggestion: Mar do Inferno

Cascais

Fabulous and large selection of fresh seafood from which to choose--all cooked to order. Beautiful view

Quality of Experience

Dear kimkim team, In a word, our trip was AMAZING! The accommodations were all lovely, guides were all so helpful, drivers were prompt , professional and informative. The gift basket and wine tour cheese tray, as well as other extra touches, were so appreciated. Pedro was flexible, responsive and in touch with us every day to make sure our trip was going well. It will be hard to travel any other way in the future! Thanks to the entire kimkim team! Kim and Sara

Hotel Reviews

NH Collection Porto Batalha

Porto

This hotel was in a great location. It was very clean, and the staff was helpful. All this made our stay enjoyable but the absolute best part was the fantastic breakfast!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Britania Art Deco

Lisboa

We had a lovely stay at the hotel Britania! It was our first stop after arriving in Lisbon and the perfect place to get over jet lag. The room was so comfortable and the staff friendly and helpful. Sue Ellen, Larissa, and Omar went above and beyond to make our visit special. The breakfast staff was also very attentive and hospitable. Thanks to the whole staff for making our visit to Lisbon so memorable. Kim and Sara

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The beds and pillows were the best!

Sapientia Boutique Hotel

Coimbra

Sapiencia Boutique Hotel was a great place to stay during our visit to Coimbra. The location was perfect and our room was spacious and clean. The outside areas (Patio and roof top) were awesome places to relax with a glass of wine.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The staff was polite and helpful when asked. On check in there were several staff at the desk but no one came to help with our bags. Some of the staff, particularly at breakfast, were not always available and did not feel very friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

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

Lisbon

Anna did a great job showing us around and giving us all the history. The wine tasting was a nice way to end the tour, mostly because it gave us a chance to sit down and ask Anna more questions.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

We enjoyed our day with driver André visiting Sinatra followed by a stop to see the furthest western point in Europe , “Cabo Da Roca”, and a drive through Casias. André gave us so much information on the area along the way, was very flexible, and punctual.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

To Eat Suggestion: Terra Nova

Porto

Terra Nova was a nice and convenient place to grab dinner. It is right on the water but also in most touristy area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Bernard was a very knowledgeable guide and gave us a good tour of the city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bernard was very passionate about the city and its architecture, The train station lecture was a bit too long with unnecessary details..

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

We had a great time sipping and discovering!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

To Eat Suggestion: Brasão - Coliseu

Porto

We enjoyed this lively popular restaurant. Our waiter was so friendly and helpful. We went with the popular sandwich francesinha ( it seems the majority of guests did too). We needed one to be vegetarian and it was not very good. The regular sandwich was good but beware of rich rich gravy. Our favorite part of the meal was the Porto Tónico!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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

Portugal

Hugo was punctual and informative as he drove us to the Douro Valley. We enjoyed the lunch and the tour. Sara was a fun and knowledgeable guide and we enjoyed the tasting as well. The boat trip was a nice way to end the day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Portugal

We enjoyed Lunch.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer

Portugal

On time pick up and drop off! Good driver!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Planning this trip was made easy with Rita's help and kimkim! This is my second time using kimkim and confident to say it never disappoints. Rita was so patient with our requests and making changes till we were satisfied. Rita suggested Porto, Lisbon and Algarve for our 10 days trip.

We started off in Porto with an amazing food tour guided by Marina and had the chance of trying Portuguese wine🍷(it was divine!!! had to bring a few bottles back home). We had time to walk around on our own as well and observe the beautiful architectures and streets, the Portuguese were so warm and welcoming. Not to mention their famous canned sardines, which my mum carried a whole box back! Everything was so beautiful. Lisbon was more on the crowded side but still beautiful nonetheless.

Rita arranged many tours to the beautiful parts of Portugal, my dad's favorite was Cascais because of the nature. The tour guides were amazing too, friendly, knowledgable and patient! Our last destination was Algarve, beautiful beaches🏝️, had the chance to set out to the Benagil Caves. Rita's recommendation was to rent a car to drive around but we opted out of that. But I could understand why having a car would have been more convenient.

I could rave on and on about this trip, will definitely go back again when I have the chance to! I'd say the most memorable things about Portugal are their intricate handmade products, delicious cuisine, hospitable people and beautiful Cork trees.

Activity Reviews

Vintage Car Tour of Porto

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

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour

Portugal

This tuk-tuk tour brought us to the main attractions of Lisbon, would be even better if the tour was longer!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From the planning stages to the final day of our journey, Tiago has been an exceptional travel agent whose expertise and dedication made our trip to Portugal truly fabulous. His attentiveness to our needs, meticulous attention to detail, and deep knowledge of Portugal ensured that every aspect of our vacation was perfectly organized.

Tiago's recommendations for activities and accommodations were spot-on, aligning perfectly with our interests and expectations. He provided us with a comprehensive roadbook that became our go-to guide throughout the trip, filled with valuable insights and tips that enhanced our travel experience. His choice of locales, from the bustling streets of Lisbon to the serene landscapes of São Miguel in the Azores, and the vibrant cultural tapestry of Porto, allowed us to experience a vibrant range of what Portugal has to offer.

We are particularly grateful for the personalized touches he added to our itinerary, ensuring that each member of our family had memorable moments tailored to their interests. Whether it was suggesting activities in Porto that delighted the connoisseurs among us, exploring historical sites in Lisbon, or enjoying the natural beauty of São Miguel, Tiago’s thoughtfulness shone through.

His responsiveness, patience and availability to address our queries and adjust our plans as needed were remarkable. We felt supported every step of the way, which was especially comforting being far from home.
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Special thanks are also due for the seamless airport transfers; a heartfelt shoutout to Antonio and Afonso in Lisbon, Henrique in Porto, and Filipe and Hugo for their dependable airport services. Their professionalism and efficiency made all our transitions smooth and stress-free.

Joel, our incredible driver from Lisbon to Porto, deserves extra praise. Not only did he expertly navigate us through the beautiful cities of Óbidos, Nazaré, and Fátima, but his patience and flexibility made each journey enjoyable and stress-free. Whether accommodating additional stop requests or managing schedule changes, Joel's professionalism and friendliness were unmatched. His deep local knowledge and eagerness to share made every mile traveled with him a journey in its own right.

In the Azores, our guide Hugo stood out with his profound knowledge and warm hospitality. His passion for São Miguel and its history brought the island's stories to life in a way that enriched our experience immeasurably. Always ready with a smile and an interesting anecdote, Hugo made sure that every aspect of our visit was engaging, informative, and immensely fun. His dedication to ensuring we had the best experience possible was truly beyond our expectations.
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We cannot express enough gratitude for the unforgettable experience Tiago curated for us. His professionalism, passion for travel, and genuine care for his clients' satisfaction are what make him truly outstanding in his field. We wholeheartedly recommend Tiago to anyone looking to explore Portugal; with him at the helm, you are in the best of hands. Thank you so much Tiago. We look forward to working with you soon, and most importantly meeting you again in the near future. Keep in touch

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisboa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

NH Collection Porto Batalha

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Lince Azores Great Hotel

Ponta Delgada

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms got too hot at night-no one addressed after brining it up to the staff

Activity Reviews

Whale-Watching in the Azores

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Central São Miguel Guided Tour

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Western São Miguel Guided Tour

São Miguel Island

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

São Miguel: Furnas Valley Tour

São Miguel Island

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Good, The Bad and The Just Right
The Good
The initial leg: Air France-Our home airport to Paris. We will definately do a 3 day layover in Paris. If an airport tells you something about a city, Paris will be..well Paris. Incredible people watching and shops, whatnot. Another level.
The beaches of the Silver Coast are amazing. Can't say enough good things. Comporta is the Hamptons on the come up. We visited so many places.. Nazare, Peniche, and Ericeria are all special. Sintra and Cascais are as advertised. Sintra has some incredible castles.

The food and the culture of the towns really stand out. I thought KimKim (Tiernan) provided us with a top notch A level service. Our experience was wonderful. We booked too many tours, so we revised the schedule on the fly. At least a 10 day trip is a must. The travel will cost you a day or day and a half of time including the jet lag effects.

The Bad & The Learnings
Layover in Boston, because of the flight cancellations and overnight layover. Learning: Avoid connecting in a U.S. City on the departure. Look to fly direct to Paris, London or Amsterdam..then catch your connecting flight to your final destination.
*Avoid the hotels near Martin Moniz square if you have a young family. It is very touristy so it draws a certain element. Great for people watching over a vinho verde with the wife while the kid sleep, but not a must see.

The "Just Right"
The travel experience: Lodging by City/Town: I thought all the lodging we stayed in were excellent. Each had their different vibes, charm and appeal. We are a family of 3 with a young daughter. I thought the prep work done to have experiences specifically for her worked out well.

This was our favorite tour: In Lisboa Tuk-Tuk: Tomas-(Our driver/guide) (College student, mid to late 20s, he did a great job)

We highly recommend KimKim (Tiernan) for your vacation planning needs. Be specific, it will help you shape your experience. Lots of communication upfront before you travel, helps you hone in the experience you want. Oh, get an automatic vehicle for Lisboa. Unless you drive in San Francisco often..the Hills of Lisboa driving a stickshift, you need to be very experienced. The restaurants are wonderful. The food is amazing in PT. Next time..we will go north to Porto, Braga and the like..along with the two places we love the most in the country..so far :) : Ericeria & Cascais.

Marina did an amazing job planning and booking all the hotels and tours. She constantly communicated with us to ensure that we were enjoying our trip. I will definitely recommend planning trips with kimkim.

Marina planned a great 10 day trip to Portugal. The hotels where we stayed and the activities she booked were great. The trip exceeded our expectations. Communication with Marina and our local contacts was easy. I felt like she understood what we were most interested in seeing and took into consideration the pace we wanted to travel. I would recommend using KimKim for your future travel!

Hotel Reviews

NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade

Lisbon

Right in the heart of the city. Great pool area. Rooms are a good size. Great breakfast buffet.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Vine House—Quinta São Luiz

Tabuaço

Beautiful!! The views couldn’t have been better.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Prettiest view from the deck of our hotel room

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great place to spend the night before an early flight. Can walk to the airport but the hotel also provides a shuttle

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Just needs some updating. Pool area was very nice

Activity Reviews

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Workshop: Painting Traditional Ceramic Tile

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wine Cellar Guided Visit with Lunch

Douro Valley

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

River Boat Experience in Douro Valley

Douro Valley

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Self Drive {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Aveiro

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Transport

Private Porto Cooking Class

Porto

This activity was canceled but our local kimkim Representative let us know right before we started walking to the cooking class. The chef took us to dinner instead to a Michelin chef’s newly opened cafe. We spent the evening with him and spoke with the chef as well. The meal was delicious and the company was just as good!

Get to know Porto by E-bike

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Porto

Great hikes. Beautiful waterfalls. Loved our guide Nuno. Great local lunch at a nice restaurant at the park.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

First time using Kim Kim and it was so easy. Helen and her team had quick replies and solutions to any questions that I may have had. we even last minute added another tour onto our itinerary and she messaged us back very quickly and made it happen. I will definitely be coming back and using Kim Kim for future explorations. Thank you Kim Kim for an amazing and memorable trip.

Hotel Reviews

Lagos Avenida Hotel

Lagos

This hotel was clean, professional, and very modern. It was in a great location close to everything. The restaurant is amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Évora Olive Hotel

Évora

The rooms were massive compared to other rooms that we stayed in Portugal. Very walkable and close to the city center. Staff was very nice and it was clean.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Privately Guided Visit of Évora

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat Excursion Inside Benagil Caves

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon Petiscos & Wine Tour

Lisbon

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a wonderful, stress free trip to Portugal thanks to the KimKim team and Marisa and her team from Across Portugal! It was a birthday trip for 3 of us who have been friends for 35 years. All the details had been worked out, all we needed to do was to get our flight to Lisbon.
Marisa was in communication with us long before our trip with details and a potential itinerary. We had mentioned we would like 4 star hotels, a cooking class at a farm with beautiful ocean views, a walking tour with tastings of Lisbon, with guide Anna who was so knowledgeable about the history of Lisbon/ Portugal, plus she was fun to be with! (We had our own private tour).
She arranged all of that! Our hotels were beautiful! Especially the Vilagale, Lagos and the Miragem in Cascais was simply breathtaking. All our hotels were within walking distance of local restaurants and shopping. She even arranged a boat ride for us in the grottos with breathtaking views of the rock formations. All of our transfers were arranged, including a pick up from the airport. All our drivers were excellent, especially Carlos, whom we had twice.
We were able to communicate through What’s App anytime and always got a quick response.
We would definitely use KimKim again and give everyone 5 stars! Thank you for providing us with a memorable Portuguese vacation!
We chose KimKim because we wanted to do our own thing without going with a tour group. It worked out perfect for us!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Activity Reviews

Lisbon Walking Tour + Delicious Portuguese Flavours

Lisbon

Anna was the perfect tour guide! She was very knowledgeable about the history and we walked all over Lisbon. We ended with some wine tasting and local tastes of the area. Thank you Anna! It was fun meeting you!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All excellent- especially Carlos!

Transport

The black metris vans were especially comfortable to travel in!

Explore Belém on a Scenic 2-Hour Tuk Tuk Tour

Lisbon

This was a very fun way to travel to Belém and see all the beautiful sights! A bit bumpy at times with the streets but still fun! Loved the warm custard!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Sintra is a town not to be missed! Our driver was very good and made sure we saw everything!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

Blue Fleet took us on our boat ride to see the grottos. It lasted about an hour and the views were amazing! The water color and rock formations were unbelievably stunning! Marta was our captain and did a wonderful job!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

We had a wonderful experience with the Fado music/dinner. 2 different singers, but the same 2 guitar players. They were excellent! The meal was good, but I have had better beef. I think the fish is the food to order on the menu there. The wine and entertainment made up for it!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Portugal

Loved this class! It was a bit of a drive from Lagos, but again with our excellent driver, it was not a problem. The host was very nice and took us on a tour of her farm/gardens. Then we went to the separate kitchen and had a cooking lesson where we could prepare our meal. After that, we went to a covered patio and had a fantastic meal that we prepared! The view was amazing! Great to meet other people from Ireland and other parts of the. US.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Kim Kim team put together a fantastic trip to Portugal for my husband and me. They selected excellent hotels that met our budget and were in great locations. We loved the tours that Kim Kim book. We absolutely loved Paulo in Sintra who spent the day with us and took us to the Pena Castle and other local areas of interest. Kim Kim booked all of our train and car travel and hotel transfers. We had a blast!

Hotel Reviews

NH Sintra Centro Hotel

Sintra

Our favorite accommodation was at NH Sintra Centro Hotel. Recently renovated, it offered beautiful views and was very updated and clean. Getting there was a bit tricky due to narrow roads, but once we arrived, it was perfect. The breakfast was excellent, and the overall experience was wonderful.

Miramar Hotel & Spa

Nazaré

The Miramar Hotel & Spa in Nazaré was nice but not our favorite. The hotel was under construction, so the spa and indoor pool were closed. The room was clean, and the staff was polite, but it lacked some conveniences like an ironing board. The location was good, allowing us to walk to most places. Overall, it was a decent stay but could have been better.

Pousada Porto - Rua das Flores

Porto

Our stay at Pousada Porto—Rua das Flores was excellent. The hotel was in a prime location, especially during the St. John's Festival. The breakfast was fantastic, and the dinner we had there was delicious. The room was a bit small but very clean, and we spent most of our time outside, so it didn't matter much. The staff was polite, and we enjoyed the overall experience despite the room size.

Activity Reviews

Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

We started our trip with a food and cultural walk in Lisbon, which was fantastic. Our guide took us to some traditional Portuguese places, including an olive oil shop that we probably wouldn't have found on our own. We were paired with two ladies from Tampa, Florida, and despite our initial doubts about getting along, we ended up having a blast and even stayed in touch. The guide was lovely and made the experience really special.

Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour

Portugal

The tuk-tuk tour in Lisbon was another highlight. Our driver was punctual, knowledgeable, and spent plenty of time with us, giving us a rich history of the city. Lisbon's steep hills can be a lot to handle on foot, so this was a perfect way to see the city without too much walking. It was a great way to get around and learn about Lisbon.

Get to know Porto by E-bike

Porto

This e-bike tour in Porto was incredible, though challenging due to the hot weather and the crowd from the St. John's Festival. Our guide was wonderful, spent extra time with us, and made sure we were safe and comfortable. He took us to less crowded trails and provided a lot of historical context, which we appreciated. He also brought water and snacks for us and even took great photos. This was a very active excursion, but we loved every minute of it.