Kimkim Trip Reviews for Spain

Our initial introduction to Barcelona was not the best. We were picked up by a driver and a guide, who was pleasant enough, but her English was so poor that none of us really understood anything that she was saying to us, and the driving tour was less than informative because of that. in addition, we were told that she would take us to a restaurant that she recommended to have lunch and she took us to the top floor of the mall which has beautiful views of the city, but the restaurant she took us to was awful. Most of what we ordered was inedible and I would get that off the list immediately .
The hotel, the Petit Palace BoqueriaGarden, was in the perfect location just a block off Las Ramblas and the rooms were small, but very nice. All the rest of the Recommended Restaurants were delicious.
Our guide the next day, Anna, was absolutely fabulous and we all loved the walking tour that she took us on through the Gothic quarter and the Jewish quarter, and then la sagrada Familia. Then she recommended a delicious restaurant for lunch, Las Sorrentinas, we liked so much we considered going back to it the next day.
And the next day we went on the park view tour, and although our guide was very good, we feel like that tour was misrepresented in the description, especially when the teenagers in our group were looking forward to seeing the dungeons in the castle on Monjuic but when we got there, we discovered that the dungeons were no longer being Open to the public so that was a big disappointment. As a result, we could have done without that tour.
And the next day, the car was delivered to our hotel, and although there was a bit of confusion, initially, it all went well, and we headed out of town. We absolutely adored our hotel, the Hotel Diana, and Tossa De Mar, which is a fabulous little Beachside resort.
The following day we had our hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and even some cliff, jumping experience with our fabulous guide Stepan who really made the whole experience so memorable and fun.
On the way back to Barcelona, the van broke down on the highway and the travel care team was instrumental in getting the van towed and a taxi to pick us up and get us to the airport in time for our flight so that we are very thankful for them. There was some confusion as we were getting mixed results from the care team and the Tow truck company, but we finally figured it all out and it all ended well

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Diana

Tossa de Mar

Perfect location right on the beach and a magnificent building and interior design. boutique style hotel with lovely and accommodating staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Petit Palace Boquería Garden

Barcelona

Beautiful hotel in a fabulous location with a lovely staff and lovely gardens

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to lots of charming shops and just off La Ramblas

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Costa Brava: Kayaking, Snorkeling & Scenic Coastal Walks

Spain

Everything about it was just right! Our guide, Stepan, was fabulous, and we recommend it so highly

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Barcelona Old Town & Sky Views

Barcelona

We probably could have done without this tour. Some of the territory we covered was repetitive, and the castle that we went to visit was not completely opened and therefore misrepresented in the description. we had hoped to see the dungeons, but they are no longer open to the public and that was one of the reasons we booked that tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Barcelona Highlights: Guided Walk & Iconic Sagrada Família

Barcelona

Anna, our guide was fabulous and knowledgeable and so enthusiastic!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Helena was a great help in planning our trip to Spain. It took us awhile to get it together but she really helped in narrowing things down. Our guide Jeanne in Barcelona for the best tapas was fun & knowledgeable. So was the rest of our guides Diana (La Sagrada de Familia), Alex for Monserrat & wine tasting, Carmen in Tarragona, Javi for excursion of hiking & visiting a castle in Madrid and Brad the walking tour of Madrid City and lastly in Valencia our bike tour guide (can’t remember her name but she was amazing). Everyone of guide are amazing!

Fellow Travelers,
If you are dreaming of an awe-inspiring journey to Spain, look no further than Yuri, the travel agent working for KimKim. After recently completing an utterly fantastic trip to Madrid, Granada, Barcelona, and Mallorca, I can't resist singing praises for this travel guru who made our adventure nothing short of magical.
Yuri's boundless enthusiasm for travel and profound knowledge of Spain were evident from the moment we connected. His passion for curating unforgettable experiences shines through every step of the planning process. He meticulously tailored our itinerary to match our interests and preferences, leaving no stone unturned to ensure our journey was personalized and truly special.
From the buzzing streets of Madrid to the serene beauty of Mallorca's beaches, each destination held a unique charm that Yuri brought to life through his expert recommendations. His in-depth understanding of the local culture, history, and cuisine made every moment of exploration feel like a fascinating journey of discovery.
What sets Yuri apart is not just his remarkable planning skills, but also the genuine care and attention he invests in his clients. Throughout the trip, he remained just a message away, promptly answering our questions and offering valuable insights. He went the extra mile to surprise us with thoughtful gestures at each destination, showing us that we were not just another booking, but cherished travelers on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Yuri's choice of local guides was impeccable, adding a layer of authenticity to our experience. Their passion for their hometowns was infectious, and they shared hidden gems and anecdotes that enriched our understanding of the places we visited.
If you want to immerse yourself in the magic of Spain and have an unforgettable travel experience, I wholeheartedly recommend entrusting your plans to Yuri. His dedication, knowledge, and warm-hearted nature make him a true gem among travel agents. Whether you're a seasoned globetrotter or embarking on your first overseas adventure, Yuri will craft an itinerary that will exceed your expectations and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you, Yuri, for making our dream trip come true. We can't wait to see what amazing adventures you have in store for us in the future!

Yuri and the entire team were great. The tours they picked along with hotel choices and transfers were bang on. I list them decide everything for me and appreciated every moment.
Will book with Kimkim again.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel & Spa Plaza Mercado

Valencia

Loves this place. The staff were great and location is absolutely perfect. Just outside of the Valencia market.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Palacio Garvey

Jerez de la Frontera

Nice location however tight outside of a patio bar so was quite pour the first evening.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

H10 Casa de la Plata

Sevilla

Great hotel, superb location and would book again.

Authenticity & Character

Modern feel in an old location.

Location

Easy to get to and fairly central.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Regina

Barcelona

Decent location, good staff. The pricing of things as it’s in Barcelona is quite higher that other areas of Spain.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Food Market, Tasting & Local Culture

Jerez de la Frontera

My guide made this amazing. She really knew a lot and was born and raised in Jerez

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Visit to Seville’s Cathedral & Alcázar

Seville

Beautiful cathedral. Something that is a must see in life.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Private Flamenco, City & Tapas Experience

Seville

This was something that so really didn’t know what so was going before I went. It was so emotional I literally held back tears. The small venue and use of genuine locals were perfect.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Pop

Loved everything. Thank you for making our Mallorca trip unforgettable

I would highly recommend KimKim for future travelers to Spain. Luis planned an amazing trip for our family of 4. It was the perfect mix of planned tours and down time for exploring on our own. Our favorite parts of the trip were our private and small group tours with our amazing tour guides - Almudena, Yohanna, Jose, Ana, Manuel and Luis who guided us through the cities of Madrid, Seville, Granada and Barcelona. We saw the beautiful Alahambra, Real Alcazar, and the Le Sagrada Familia Basilica and enjoyed a fantastic night of tapas and flamenco dancing. Our sunset cruise in Barcelona was so much fun and our family day at the beach was a perfect ending to our trip. Luis was so easy to work with and planned the perfect trip for us. He also was helpful answering questions for us during our trip while he was on vacation. He really provided excellent guidance. We can't wait to plan our next trip!

Activity Reviews

Tickets for museums & monuments

Madrid

We enjoyed our tour of The Prado Museum in Madrid. We recommend self-guided tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day City Tour & Gaudi (incl skip the line Tickets for Sagrada Familia & Parc Güell) - GROUP

Barcelona

Luis picked us up at our hotel with a shuttle and toured the city which was so nice given how hot it was in the summer. We really enjoyed our tour of the La Sagrada Familia. It was so beautiful. Luis was high energy, very knowledgeable and a lot of fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Sunset Yatch Tour

Barcelona

The sunset tour was beautiful. We had a difficult time getting a taxi to the port and the yacht waited for us to arrive which we greatly appreciated. We really enjoyed the tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Off-the-beaten-path City Tour

Seville

We really enjoyed our tour with Manuel. He was so very nice and an excellent storyteller. The tour of the Real Alcazar was amazing. We highly recommend Manuel!

Quality of Experience

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Day tour to Granada & the Alhambra

Seville

We spent the entire day with Jose and he was great. He picked us up at our hotel, drove us 3 hrs to and from Granada and provided a walking tour of Granada even in extreme heat. Ana provided so much information during our Alhambra tour that day. It was an amazing experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Tapas & Flamenco night

Seville

The flamenco dance was an amazing experience. We were in the front row of the theater. Yohanna was a great guide. We had so much fun with her and enjoyed the tapas.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Private city tour

Madrid

Almudena was an excellent tour guide. She was so knowledgeable and very kind. We really enjoyed this walking tour.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Luis did an amazing job working with us on what we wanted from our vacation to Spain, and helped find the little gems that we wouldn't have found otherwise! The hotels he picked were great, the tour guides were all super friendly and informative. The logistics of transportation, airport transfers, etc all were very smooth. We would definitely recommend working with Luis!

Hotel Reviews

Catalonia Donosti

San Sebastián

Great location and facilities. The spa was amazing.

H10 Urquinaona Plaza

Barcelona

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near city center/Gothic quarter, lots of food within walking distance

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Gourmet Tapas walking tour & Flamenco show

Barcelona

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The excursions were good and fun. The sunset cruise was not good. We were back at port before the sun even set! And we had to go out and get dinner afterwards because definitely not enough food was served on the boat.

Activity Reviews

Wine Tasting & Tapas Trike Tour

Tenerife

It was a fun experience. You only visit one winery though. The food served there was pretty good though.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Teide National Park by Sunset & Starlight

Tenerife

Ben was a great story teller. He kept you captivated with all the history of the Guanche! The food and wine was good as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Sailing Experience with Dolphin Watching

Lanzarote

We were back at port before the sun even set! The food was terrible and there definitely was not enough of it. The crew was very nice though and we had no issues with them. Folks should know that maybe you will see some dolphins but not the sun set.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lanzarote Volcanic Wine Experience:: Tastings & Tapas

Lanzarote

Cheryl was awesome! The wineries she took us to see were great and she was knowledgeable on most everything.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a fantastic trip to Spain stopping in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Marbella. Dalia did a great job securing hotels, a few private tours and rail tickets - all of which were top notch. She was also immensely helpful when I had questions or requests along the way. I would highly recommend Dalia and team and would work with them again.

We enjoyed our trip to Spain. I am not sure I would use a travel agency for planning again though. I should’ve been more proactive with planning/input. We were a group of 14 including seven kids ages 4 to 18. With Spain being so hot in the summer it really would’ve been helpful to have a pool at each of our accommodations. The trip plan involved far too much driving. We had at least an hour drive there/back to each daily activity. More restaurant information with specific recommendations and even advanced reservations would’ve been very helpful. A favorite activity was e-bike mountain biking. Loved Segovia, San Sebastián, and Madrid.

The hotels and the activities provided were excellent. Maybe because of our age but I thought the trip had too many activities planned without enough time between. There was no way we could have made the trip from Vigo to the boat trip on the River Sal.
I thought San Sebastián was a Zoo and very hard to drive. I would skip that City and use the time for a more leisurely drive through the rest of the trip.
Everyone is different but apart from the above comments everything else was great. No complaints about Bea, the hotels or the places visited. We will use Kimkim again!!

Hotel Reviews

One Shot Tabakalera House

San Sebastian

Great hotel and the lunch at the Basque Culinary School next door was our best meal in Spain.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Petit Palace Arana

Bilbao

Adequate but below the standards of all the hotels. Unclear instructions about arrival at the hotel. The car park is conveniently located but in practical terms you need to park the car before checking in. There is absolutely no space to park in front of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Puebloastur Eco-Resort Wellness & Spa

Cofiño, Parres

Great place. Amazing views, tranquility and excellent service and food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Princesa Munia Hotel & Spa

Oviedo, Asturias

Compared with some of the other hotels it couldn’t quite compete. Not a bad hotel but we were not interested in any of the Spa services and maybe a less pretentious hotel in Oviedo would’ve been better.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Parador de Monforte de Lemos

Monforte de Lemos

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

NH Collection Vigo

Vigo

Authenticity & Character

A nice hotel but obviously part of the tourist bus tours

Location

Staff

I can’t remember his name but one of the guest services person was very good.

Cleanliness & Comfort

San Francisco Hotel Monumento

Santiago de Compostela

An excellent historical hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close to the Cathedral of Santiago.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

7 Islas Hotel

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

It was just a nice hotel

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

San Sebastian Pintxo Experience

San Sebastián

We tasted Pintxo that we never tasted before or after this tour. The guide chose excellent places to sample the Pintxos.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Guided Visit of San Sebastian

San Sebastián

Excellent tour

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Day at Lakes of Covadonga & Covadonga Sanctuary

Spain

The guide was excellent. Even though the most was so dense that it was hard to see the lakes, it was still a good tour with an excellent guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Oviedo Old Town Foodie Walk & Cider Experience

Oviedo

A very good tour with some unique features of the tour, such as the cider tasting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion along Ribeira Sacra: Rivers, Canyons & Vineyards

Spain

I was not feeling well that day and so we canceled the boat trip on the River Sil. However when the time was changed to be an hour earlier than originally scheduled it would have been almost impossible to get there on time. Unless you set off from the hotel at 8 am and that would have been typical because of coach tours checking out at that time and you would still need someone to get the car (front desk in our case). Completely impractical for a relaxing holiday.

Where the Camino Ends: A Guided Walk Through Santiago

Santiago de Compostela

The guide was excellent

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Tapas & Tradition: A Madrileño Evening

Madrid

Never happened because our flight to Madrid was delayed.

Helena was an outstanding partner in helping us curate a customized itinerary for our first trip to Spain. It balanced history, culture, excursions and also free time for our families. All the tours and guide trips she picked were extremely professional. Even during the trip she was very hands on and responsive to all our needs. I highly recommend Kimkim!

Activity Review

Explore Costa Brava: Kayaking, Snorkeling & Scenic Coastal Walks

Spain

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We truly had an epic trip to Spain! Many thanks to Yuri and Adam for all of their help to coordinating this for us as the trip was fantastic! For the transfers, with the exception of the pick up from Madrid hotel to Madrid train station, all of the transfers were seamless. With the above mentioned transfer, the driver did his best to resolve and thankfully did get us to the station in time for our train to Seville. For the hotels, we were pleased with all of our selections and only had one concern which I can detail related to Madrid. Aside from that, the stays were outstanding! For the yours planned via KimKim, the Tuk Tuk in Madrid was great fun, the private visit to Alcazar and Sevilla Cathedral in Sevilla was out of this world amazing, the boat/walk/hike/kayak in Tossa was wonderful, the private Gaudi tour of Park Guell, Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo was outstanding and the Hot air balloon in Barcelona was awesome!

Hotel Reviews

Gallery Hotel

Barcelona

We stayed at this amazing hotel for 6 nights, and it was absolutely perfect!! The location is perfect right off beautiful and luxurious Passeig de Gràcia neighborhood with easy access to 2 metro stations. The neighborhood is super safe, surrounded by trees and cute cafes and shops. We loved visiting La Rambla, El Born and the Gothic quarter but were so thankful to be able to stay at the Gallery given its calm and relaxing environment. This hotel is the perfect site as it is so close by to Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and Casa Vicens! The standard rooms were super spacious, comfortable and most importantly safe and quiet. This hotel also has a neat rooftop bar and refreshing swimming pool. They also provide complimentary pool towels which is not standard everywhere which was a very nice touch. Despite being in the middle of everything, this hotel gave the vibes of being home. The absolute very BEST part of this hotel is the people who work there. They were genuinely happy to help in any way they could help, were engaging, responsive and always kept our comfort in mind. I have to give some special shout outs to the following individuals- Ruben, Aaron, Roberta, Ernesto, Rosanna, Auria, James, Falcon and Mateo. Aaron and Ruben checked us in and went out of their way to ensure we had all the info we needs, arranged taxis for us, advised on us on the most cost efficient ways to travel and see the various sites and suggested great eateries. Aaron answered questions ( despite me asking several times LOL) and did it with kindness. Ruben even arranged a picnic breakfast for our family as we had a 6a excursion without me even asking once he heard we needed a taxi at that time. That was beyond kind and so deeply appreciated. Auria helped us figure out the best way to visit Sitges which was beautiful by the way and is a must do if you are seeking a tranquil beach day! Ernesto was so friendly too! We had daily breakfast included in our stay and the food was fresh and delicious! The whole team led by Francesco were amazing! Everything was so clean and organized and it was just the best way to start the long days! They even gave us to go cups with the coffee beverage of our choice which was so nice! Staying at the Gallery was like staying home and we absolutely would stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gran Hotel Reymar

Tossa de Mar

We spent 3 nights at this hotel! The location is wonderful and absolutely gorgeous across the street from Platja Mar Menuda. Our family had rooms with sea views. The rooms were modern. There is no ability to adjust the air conditioning which was not ideal but thankfully it was not too hot outside when we were there so keeping the blinds closed while we were out helped. Check in was super easy and the staff were terrific! We har a car and parking is a bit steep at 20 euros per day though it was unlimited valet in and out and the valet staff were excellent! The buffet breakfast was not the best and had very limited warm food options. It was also the same all 3 days which was not as great compared to the other hotels we stayed in during the course of our trip throughout Spain. The pool was nice but towels are not complimentary. Thankfully we brought our own. All in all, it was a very good stay!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla

Sevilla

This hotel is not just a hotel, it is an amazing experience!! The location is excellent, literally a 5 minute walk to to the Cathedral of Seville and the Alcazar surrounded by so many tapas restaurants and shops. Despite the hustle and bustle, once you enter the hotel, it’s an oasis of calm and zen. The reception front desk team was beyond amazing! Special shout outs to Alberto, Leo, Julio and Rosa! The rooms ( patio rooms) were gorgeous and well appointed. The beds were super comfortable and the air conditioning worked without any issues. The hotel provides ice cold water as complimentary which was beyond amazing given the heat of Sevilla! Breakfast buffet was fresh and delicious with excellent service and their daily tea time/ merienda was phenomenal! The rooftop pool was terrific and had stunning views of the Giralda, Cathedral and Sevilla! Our family had the best time here and cannot wait to return!! Thank you Hotel Casa 1800!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments - Madrid Suites

Madrid

We spent 2 nights here in the 2 bedroom apartment. Pros: - check in was super easy and staff was amazing! - they gave us lockers to store luggage give we arrived at 9a - apartment was well appointed , clean and gorgeous with washer/dryer combo and full kitchen - beds were super comfy - location was safe and close to 24 hour bakery La Dona which was fantastic especially given that there was no breakfast included Cons: - major con is the noise at night - our unit faced the main street and so it was continual noise all night long

Authenticity & Character

the hotel room was designed to be very modern/sleek/chic and trendy. So it was authentic to match that vibe. The unt was beautiful, but unfortunately had poor insulation to external noise.

Location

the hotel is pretty close to everything with easy access to taxis.

Staff

WOW!! the staff was terrific in all ways! They stored our luggage, gave us great tips, helped arrange taxis and were all around terrific!

Cleanliness & Comfort

spacious and super comfortable. Only negative was the noise at night.

Activity Reviews

Private Visit to Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar

Seville

Barbara was an awesome tour guide! She was engaging, brilliant and lovely! My family had a blast! Many thanks to Barbara and her boss Matias for a truly wonderful tour!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Electric Tuk-Tuk Adventure

Madrid

Hector took us on the best Tuk Tuk Tour and also took us to spots where we could get the best pics! It was a terrific activity to do on our 1st day in Spain and really helped to lessen jet lag!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hot-Air Balloon Ride

Barcelona

This excursion was coordinated SO SEAMLESSLY and was absolutely excellent! The driver was timely and terrific and our Pilot Nico was engaging and wonderful. We were able to have a light breakfast pre-flight and then had snacks post flight which was nice. The hot air balloon experience was exhilarating and the views were beautiful!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Extended Family-Friendly Gaudí Tour

Barcelona

This tour with Miguel was outstanding!! We toured Park Guell, Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo and it was amazing! Miguel was very family friendly and kept the family engaged the whole time with stories, history and fun facts. The tour did not feel rushed in any way which was terrific! We had time to stop for a quick lunch which was great given the duration of the tour. Miguel also gave us great suggestions on where to eat locally and he was spot on as we ate quite well affordably as well!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boating, Hiking & Kayaking in Tossa de Mar

Costa Brava

This tour with Ana and Theo was terrific!! Ana gave us a great tour of Villa Velle and the " castle" . The glass bottom boat was short but fun. Theo led us on a terrific hike from Cala Pola to Cala Bona. At Cala Bona, we did kayaking after a small breakfast of pastry and juice which was super fun!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

So happy we found KimKim and Karenina as our tour specialist. We started with a broad vision and with Karenina's expertise she prepared an amazing 16 day detailed trip plan! We experienced 6 days in Barcelona, 3 days in the Costa Brava Region (the town of Begur), 3 days in Valencia, and 3 days in Madrid. There was a perfect mix of tours, and on our own time. We were able to reach out to Karenina and her team as needed with questions and/or changes. We could not have been happier with the KimKim team. All of the tour guides were exceptional in their knowledge and very friendly. The local foods were amazing, the people very welcoming, and the architecture stunning. Navigating the cities was very easy, great public transportation. We rented a car for the trip to Costa Brava and then on to Valencia, driving was very low stress. A car is a must to really experience the Costa Brava Region. We were very satisfied with all of the hotel accommodations. We took a trains from Valencia to Madrid and Madrid to Barcelona- a great way to see the country.
Key Highlights: Barcelona- La Sagrada Familia, Olympic Venues, Day trip to Montserrat and tour/tasting at Llopart Vineyard and Park Guell. Costa Brava Region- Day self-driving trips to Girona, Figueres, La Garrotxa, Besalu. Valencia- The Prince Phillip Science Museum and the open-air oceanographic park is a must. We also biked the old river basin which has been converted into 18 different parks. Madrid- Great local markets, and museums.

Hotel Reviews

Petit Palace Puerta del Sol

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Alta House Begur

Begur, Girona

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

One Shot Palacio Reina Victoria 04 Hotel

Valencia

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Andante Hotel

Barcelona

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Highlights Walk of Old Madrid

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Valencia by Tuk Tuk

Valencia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Small-Group Montserrat & Penedès Region Winery Excursion

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

We would have liked more time at Montserrat

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Taste Barcelona: Authentic Tapas & Neighborhood Walk

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Barcelona Highlights: Guided Walk & Iconic Sagrada Família

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

On the last day of a 2 week trip to Spain , I joined a group tour to Montserrat. The tour was operated by We Barcelona. While I can’t point to any one thing about this tour that was bad, it was different than expected. For example, I was under the impression it would be a small group tour but it included 36 people. I’ve taken group tours before but they have all been for small groups and we traveled by minivan style bus versus a large bus. Additionally, although the meeting point was super convenient to where I was staying, once all 36 people checked in, we walked 5 -6 blocks to the bus. The meeting time was 10:30 am but by the time we got to the bus it was 11 and our arrival to Montserrat was about 12:20-12:30. Two young professional women were with us and provided us factual info about Barcelona and Montserrat via microphone during the bus ride. Upon arriving at Montserrat, we split into 2 groups of 18 and our short tour began. The tour lasted about 20-25 minutes and then we were on our own for 75 min. Other travelers who visited Montserrat in years past mentioned how much they liked hiking around there so I originally thought I would do that but it was 1 pm when we had our free time and it was very hot. Our 2 groups of 18 reconvened at 2:10 and we waited to take the funicular down the mountain. Montserrat is spectacularly beautiful so this ride was very scenic. At the bottom of the hill, we met the bus and then we’re driven about 30 minutes to a farmhouse for lunch. I believe the tour advertises having and outdoor lunch on the far, but we ate inside which made sense given the heat. It was a lovely lunch which included a few tapas, a green salad, bread, grilled meats, wine and sorbet. Coffee and tea were offered at the end but were not included in the prepaid tour price. We left the farmhouse around 4:30 and we’re back to Barcelona an hour later. I’m glad I went to Montserrat but would probably do it differently if I had to do it again.

Activity Review

Day Trip to Montserrat & Lunch at a Farmhouse

Barcelona

Montserrat is a scenic wonder and a beautiful place, however this was a large group tour so my review of it is significantly impacted by that fact. I’ve never taken a bus tour so my expectations might be skewed by my tendency to take small group tours or explore on my own. Originally this tour appealed to me because I heard many great things about the hiking. Additionally the fact that I started at 10:30 (versus 8) was originally a bonus but in retrospect the start time and large group size meant we didn’t get free time at Monstserrat until 1 pm and I found it too hot to hike. As someone with no large group tour experience I found a lot of time wasted with just the logistics and transport. For example, our meeting time was 10:30 and everyone was on time but each party had to sign in on 1 tablet and fill out a bunch of information so that took about 15-20 minutes. Then we had to walk 5 or 6 blocks to the bus. So we didn’t actually get moving until at least 11. We arrived at Montserrat at about 12:20 but all the bus parking spots were full so we waited another 5-10 minutes before getting off the bus. There were 2 guides with us so we broke into smaller groups and out tour began. The tour did not include getting close to the Black Madonna but instead included about 2-3 stops outside the monastery where information was given and one stop before the Basilica where info was given. This part of the tour lasted about 15 minutes then we were in our own for 75 minutes. At 2:10 we gathered to take the funicular down the mountain. Then we met our bus and drove about 30 minutes to the farmhouse for lunch. We had lunch inside the farmhouse between 3:15-4:30. We were served a few tapas, bread, a green salad, grilled meats, wine and sorbet. Coffee and tea were offered but not included and had to be paid for separately. The meal was good and I enjoyed the company of the other travelers. We got back to Barcelona at 5:30.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Helena, did an amazing job creating an active and full vacation based on what my family likes and enjoys. Costa Brava was exactly what we wanted. We did enjoy Barcelona but we really crave the locations off the beaten path. My girls ages 16 and 9 favorite parts of the vacation differed. While my 16 year old thought the kayaking in the Mediterranean was such a unique experience my 9 year old was over the moon about the Flamenco Dancing. Curating a vacation like this takes a special talent. Hotel Aiguablava was truly a special place. Begur was a cool town with lots of fantastic restaurants. Closing out our stay with a sail on Med from Barcelona was the perfect ending to a magical vacation.

Hotel Review

Hotel Aigua Blava

Costa Brava · Girona

A special family friendly boutique hotel with amazing views of the Mediterranean. The breakfast was a great selection. The dinners and way above what I expected. Nice bar and comfortable lounge areas. Stunning views from the rooms on even on the far end of the resort. Wish we could have stayed longer.

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Staff

The staff did a great job making my 16 year olds birthday special after learning about it at the last minute.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Mediterranean Sailing Experience & Live Spanish Guitar Music

Barcelona

The only way to closeout your vacation is to say goodbye from a boat. So much fun.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Feel the Passion of Flamenco

Barcelona

This was my daughter’s favorite experience on this trip. Don’t miss this.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Barcelona for Kids: Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia & Park Güell

Barcelona

Only do this as a private tour. So worth it to skip the line and a fantastic way to learn about the amazing monument.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Snorkeling in the Mediterranean

Spain

Well operated. Wet suits offered to everyone. Absolutely necessary. The water was cold. The snorkeling is not like being in the Caribbean but still a unique experience.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Costa Brava Coastal Escape: Kayak, Snorkel & Scenic Walks

Spain

A fun unique experience. Very professional and appropriate for my girls ages 16 & 9.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We heard about Kimkim on recommendation from a friend who used them for a trip to Portugal and are so happy we used their services on our first trip to Spain!! Usually my husband does all aspects of trip planning, including hotels, rental cars, event/tour tickets, etc. and has to do the requisite amount of research beforehand, in addition to making all of the bookings. Kimkim set us up with Marta, a local expert, and she planned every aspect of our 2 week trip in Southern Spain and made many specific recommendations based on our interests and budget. Everything was planned and coordinated with her online - we never even spoke on the phone because we didn't have to - and she would get back to me with answers, additions, changes and recommendations right away. The communication was top notch every step of the way, even after we were in country....response time was practically immediate and the app with the trip plan is so user friendly and contains all information needed, including time tables, tickets, directions, names, meeting points, etc. We were so lucky in that we have absolutely no issues to report, everything went so smoothly which says so much about the attention to detail Marta and Kimkim delivers! This trip was full of planes, trains, automobiles and miles and miles (kilometers and kilometers!) of walking all over Southern Spain. Highlights included our private tour of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens with guide, Marta Sanchez. Her English was excellent and her passion for and knowledge of the history of Spain, Granada and the Alhambra were so extensive and contagious. Her expertise definitely made this not-to-miss attraction come to life for us and set us up with historical context right at the beginning of our trip, which was perfect. We climbed the Caminito del Rey which reminded us so much of the Grand Canyon and was beautiful - but HOT. Please be warned that it is much longer than you think because you have to walk to the meeting point from the bus and walk from the end back to the bus which adds at least a few kilometers onto the climb and on a hot, sunny day wearing the required helmet - it is HOT. Bring lots of water. Another highlight was the hotel we stayed in while in Sevilla, Las Casas de la Juderia. It is located in the Old Jewish Quarter and consists of multiple historical homes and buildings that are interconnected by a maze of gardens, patios, passageways and courtyards. All the rooms were unique and historical but modernized and comfortable. The rooftop pool was beautiful and the architecture in the old part of town was gorgeous and steeped in history. We had a private tour of Sevilla with Jose, which gave us the ability to pick and choose areas we wanted to return to but included a detailed tour of the Alcazar. He brought us to a wonderful local restaurant at the end of the tour, and we particularly enjoyed the conversations we had with him during our tour and the food and conversations with others at the restaurant. We rested in the resort town of Marbella, spending a day lounging ocean/poolside, which was much needed with the heat and pace of our trip! Highlights there also included a day trip to Malaga, another beautiful city - our daughter is an artist so we visited the Picasso Museum there which was fantastic - don't miss the architectural finds located in the basement! Madrid was lovely - the private tour we took with Antonio took us by many of the important neighborhoods, buildings, markets and plazas and gave us the much needed knowledge of Madrid to be able to pick and choose the places we wanted to return to and explore in more detail. Again, being interested in art - specifically Modern Art - our daughter visited the Reina Sophia and had a fantastic day there. The last highlight was our day trip to Toledo. Again, our private tour guide Daniel Cano perfectly bookended our trip with his knowledge, passion and love of Toledo and its' incredible history (thank you for telling us he origin of the saying "Holy Toledo"!). From the Old Jewish Quarter to the Toledo Cathedral - the attractions we visited had amazing artworks by El Greco and Carvaggio among others - but also modern art as well. The architecture and history of Spain and specifically the "City of Three Cultures" that guide Daniel Cano shared were easily recognizable to us from the historical context that Marta Sanchez, our guide at the Alhambra, provided at the very beginning of the trip. And again, he. made a wonderful recommendation for a restaurant which was a terrific and restful way to end the day.

The time we saved on trip planning, the insider knowledge of the local experts at Kimkim and the support before, during and after the trip made this vacation so enjoyable and smooth for us. We definitely recommend Kimkim and specifically Marta - and will definitely use them for trip planning in the future.

This was our first time booking with a travel agent ever and we would do it again in a heartbeat! Dalia was an absolute pleasure to work with! All of the tours that she booked were spectacular and she was available whenever we needed.

Activity Reviews

Rioja group wine tour: 2 wineries

Spain

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

San Sebastian cooking class

San Sebastián

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

San Sebastian Ultimate Pintxos & Wine Tour

San Sebastián

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Madrid Tapas, Taverns & History group tour

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Madrid Highlight group tour with Royal Palace

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Spain! Since it was our first visit, I preferred to rely on the expertise of a professional travel planner. Alfonso did an excellent job, listening to our interests and adjusting plans accordingly. The tours were all excellent and I appreciated the careful attention to transfers and ground transportation. A stop in Pamplona was an unexpected highlight and we all fell in love with San Sebastián. Thank you!

Activity Reviews

Private Guggenheim Visit

Bilbao

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sailing the coast

San Sebastián

Absolutely beautiful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Short Visit to La Sagrada Família

Barcelona

Beautiful! Worth the visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Evening Tapas Walk in Barcelona

Barcelona

Our guide was knowledgeable and very helpful. I might suggest that he drop guests off at a restaurant at the conclusion of the tour and not feel obligated to sit through the meal. It was just a little awkward that we all sat and ate dinner while he watched.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All guides were great! John and I really enjoyed our first guide for the Madrid tour. She was very helpful, spent more than was scheduled, to guide us in not only Madrid, but with tips on places to see in Toledo as well. We wish we tipped her more than we did, but we were unaware of what was acceptable at the time.
Helena was there when we needed assistance.
Our daughter Amber initiated the trip planning and booking with our input as well since we were taking the trip together. She would be to the best person to describe the planning and booking experience.

Hotel Reviews

El Museo Living & Experience Club Apartments

Málaga

Very nice hotel. Location was great, but it was a bit crowded when the pull-out couch is in use, otherwise the rooms worked well.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Suites Gran Via 44

Granada

Very nice hotel. It was a bit small for families. It had only the barest amenities such as coffee, etc. It was very nice, and the facilities were fantastic. It was just a bit small if the pull-out bed is in use.

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Slow Suites Bellas Artes

Madrid

This hotel room was large, and we appreciated the individual thermostat controls in the bedrooms. The little touches like ice in the freezer and water bottle in the refrigerator as well as coffees, etc. was very nice and helpful. This hotel provided us with a map of Madrid to help us with our adventuring and exploring of the city. The beds were comfortable as well as the dining and living room furniture. The hotel was centrally located and very convenient for touring the city.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy to access the primary tourist attractions.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sunset Sailing on the Mediterranean

Málaga

This was a really fun cruise!

Quality of Experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We provided our own transportation, but I would recommend KimKim provide transportation for at least back to the hotel.

Transport

Hiking Excursion in the Andalusia Countryside

Spain

We highly recommend taking this tour!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our guide provided the transportation. Very good guide and transportation was comfortable.

Flamenco Show

Granada

Great experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Visit: Alhambra & Generalife Gardens

Granada

Great tour. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and able to supply the history of the areas we were visiting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We provided our own transportation to and from this tour. I recommend providing transportation to all guided tour locations.

Kids’ Journey Through Madrid with Activities & Snacks

Madrid

This was one of the most informative tours we had during our visit. Our tour guide was fantastic!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked the whole way, but it was a nice walk, not too rushed or slow.

Tapas & Tradition: A Madrileño Evening

Madrid

The was a great tour, not recommended for families with small children, but our grandchildren were not able to make the tour so for the two remaining adults it was fantastic!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We did not get transportation to or from this tour and we got lost and had trouble finding out way back to our room. Transport back to the room would have been helpful. We later learned how to catch taxis/Ubers, but we could not get our phones to work to contact anyone and we had difficulty finding a taxi to flag one down in that neighborhood. This was a bit stressful.