Kimkim Trip Reviews for Spain

I enjoyed this a lot because we were able to see many different neighborhoods and make it down along the water as well. It was an easy bike ride and our guide was great. It might not be as enjoyable in summer with hot temps and big crowds but November was perfect for it.

The Gothic Quarter is an amazing place to walk around and just get lost, but luckily with our guide we didn’t have to get lost. Ha. Jorge was so knowledgeable and familiar with the area and it’s history. This was a favorite part of our trip.

We were originally thinking we would be going to more than one restaurant to try out tapas but this tour is a walk around El Born and you dine at one Tapas restaurant. Our restaurant was right by the Picasso Museum. I cannot remember the name of it but was very good. Our guide George was wonderful.

Beautiful views, great exercise. There is some steep uphill but it is not too long and definitely worth it. We enjoy hiking and it was a great way to get outside and see some amazing scenery. November is a perfect time for this because we could wear shorts yet were not too hot.

This was a wonderful way to explore the coastline and see a beautiful beach not accessible by car. Our Spanish is limited and our guide did not speak English. We wish we spoke Spanish better so we could have communicated with our guide more during the trip.

I enjoyed Sagrada Família the most because it is such an incredible sight. I recommend the guided tour because you learn so much more about why he designed things the way he did. You receive headphones so you can hear the guide without her having to shout. Parc Guél was crowded so I can’t even imagine how it is in the summer.

This hotel is in the heart of a large shopping district and in busy roads - so light sleepers beware! It’s also in a pedestrian area, so a taxi can’t drop you off right in front of the door. The room itself was fine, beds were comfy and the bathroom was nice and large. The shower was… interesting. Took me a few tries to master as there are multiple shower nozzles, a large shower head, and other odd features that were a bit confusing! The walls are paper thin, so again, beware light sleepers! The location was great to get around the city and if you enjoy shopping.

The aesthetic is super cool - very eclectic wall paper in the rooms and carpeting in the hallways. Breakfast was very good, lots to choose from. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Walls we’re very thin and the room would get very hot at night, despite trying to lower the temperature on the AC. Bathroom was updated nicely, but there was no shower door in ours, just a long piece of glass, so water would get on the floor when showering. For what we were looking for on our trip (essentially a place to put our heads at night, shower, and change) it was perfect. If you’re looking for a luxury stay, this is not the hotel for you!

The location is great because you’re in an area that makes it easy to walk around the city. The hotel itself was clean and the staff were very friendly! As many hotels are in Europe, it’s older so the walls are thin and you can hear everything going on around you. So if you’re a light sleeper (like me!) bring ear plugs and maybe install a nice sound machine app on your phone. We had the free breakfast included, but ended up only using it once. I’d recommend walking down the street to the local market and grabbing something there instead. Overall, a decent place to put your head at night, but if you’re looking for a luxury stay, maybe look elsewhere!

Highly recommend this experience! The cooking class takes place inside the market and you do a tour of the market beforehand. The guide tells you about the local fare and what is in season. Then you get to cook with the ingredients that we’re discussed like saffron, purple garlic, and smoked paprika. Our chef, Dom, was so incredible! He was able to make a group of about 12 feel like a little family. He got everyone involved with chopping and cooking - everyone got a chance to be the star.

The show and experience was really wonderful, but since we were there on a Wednesday night, we were one of only a handful of attendees in the audience. This was a bit weird and felt awkward at first, but once the show started you forgot about it. The dancers and musicians were highly skilled and you could tell that they love performing. This may be a better experience on a weekend day assuming more people attend at that time.

We had a lovely private tour of this estate and our guide, Sarah, was so knowledgeable about all of the different olive types and what they’re used for (eating vs olive oil extraction). The estate itself is beautiful and you get to see the modern day way they make olive oil as well as the ancient way they used to make it. The owner of the estate also has an impressive collection of old horse carriages that was an unexpected, but very interesting, addition to the trip. We ended up buying a ton of olive oil to bring home with us as gifts!

This was a great experience. We visited 4 separate restaurants and got to try at least 4 different tapas at each location and a drink of choice at each location. We had about 10 people in our group and the guide was really knowledgeable. There’s a lot of different options for the tapas but if you’re a vegetarian or don’t like seafood, this may not be a good experience for you as most options had meat or fish in them. Overall this was a great first experience in Barcelona and we loved being able to meet other visitors in our small group!

H10 was perfect for our first stop in Barcelona. We liked the location it was close to the Gothic Quarter. It was quiet but close to businesses if you wanted it. The morning breakfast was delicious and lots of choices. The wait staff always had a smile on their face and helped us through the menu. They entire team met us with such kindness, explained where to explore on the map, helped us with some laundry that needed to be done, and gave us recommendations on where to have some local wines. We couldn't have asked for a better place.

This was towards the last part of our stay. It's a beautiful hotel in downtown Barcelona. It's a great hotel and is super busy. They have a great bar and room service and if you need anything such as groceries are right across the street. The room was a little hot so having the balcony door opened helped. What I learned is that when the AC is on in a hotel it's on for everyone. So when it's turned off and it's winter the heat is on. You can't regulate your own room. This is on all the hotels I stayed in. With that said, then you have a window open. If the noise of outside doesn't bother you then you are fine. I can sleep like that and most people can. This hotel had a great and friendly staff. You can go outside and get anything you need. Everyone is super friendly.

LOVE the hotel! This was towards the end of our Spain tour and what a surprise. The beautiful architecture of the hotel, the sauna, and the roof top terrace were just some of the perks in this hotel. Watching the sunset while having a glass of wine before heading to dinner was one of the most memorable times of our trip. The staff was absolutely kind and helpful. We loved talking to them and they helped us through every part of our stay. We only wish it would have been longer.

Loved 7 Islas Hotel. It's in a location that is easy to walk around and lots of fun tapas restaurants. They gave us great recommendations for places to eat and would call ahead for reservations for us. This place has little clutter and minimalist which was perfect for us. The downstairs bar had fantastic drink and our bartender who works all the time was so kind to us. If you have a chance, try the apple crumble dessert with a cappuccino (so yummy).

Tucked away at a beautiful estate, is a little slice of heaven. We tried different wines, walked around a beautiful estate, and learned about their new wines and projects. This family has been making wines for decades but did it for trade. They made the wines to barter and trade on their island they live on. Now, this is newer and they are bottling their wines. It's just a serene time with yummy tapas and wine.

This was such a great class! We thought it was a private class and it ended up being a group class which ended up being a blast! Our instructor, Angel was so knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. We took a trip to the market and learned about what to buy for our paella, dessert, and also Sangria. We all worked together but also made some delicious food that we can try and recreate at home. Delicious food, conversation, and drinks! They also send you home with the recipes.

Santiago (Santi) was such a great instructor! We learned so much and had the best Iberico ham tasting. The quality of pigs, how they are raised and how you will have different taste from the same pig. We learned that this is an art and it takes years of experience to understand. We learned that this is only from Spain and which one to choose next time we are out dinning. Such a great experience.

Ann Marie was a perfect guide! She showed us all around The Gothic Center and much more. We were able to go into stores, museum, and the chapel. She accommodated our request for tour and adjusted as needed. She is a wealth of knowledge and we didn't know how much history was surrounding us until we were done. What's cool is we weren't expecting to get what we received and it was a lot of unexpected history and information that we are grateful to learn and appreciate the culture a lot more. We had so much fun and learned so much.

Loved our tapas event. Mirko was a great tour guide. Our first thought was to go out eat, drink, and watch flamenco dancing. We were so tired from our trip and he adjusted to our energy. We saw places we would have never visited and wen't back another time too because we loved it so much. We went to three different restaurants and learned about the different types of food, culture, and how the area is divided up. We were so glad to meet him and he was the start of our 9 day trip.

Hotel H10 Casa de la Plata was our favorite hotel during our two-week stay in Spain. Front desk staff were top-notch: warm and welcoming. The lobby area is tastefully appointed with eclectic furnishings and decor. The guest rooms are wonderful: spacious but cozy. We loved the bidet and the illuminated toilet :-) There was witty and whimsical art on the walls, eye-pleasing colors and - a first for us - a pillow menu!! The breakfast buffet was lavish and delicious, with more choices than we knew what to do with. Service at breakfast was warm, friendly and welcoming.

Hotel is lovely, with excellent service, comfortable rooms and beds, and great breakfast.

This hotel is charming. It's ideally located in the old quarter of the city, steps from la Mezquita and the Roman bridge. Reception is wonderful and they gave us a very warm welcome, which was appreciated after a long drive. Breakfast was served in a large utilitarian room, but the choices were great, and the service was responsive and friendly. The courtyards and fountains were magical, but one caution I would mention is that the various steps up and down through the garden and courtyard areas were not well-lit or marked. We were traveling with my elderly parents, and I worried about them slipping and falling. Otherwise, it's a lovely property. We didn't get a chance to partake in the "honor bar" in the lovely library, but I loved the idea of it and we definitely would have if we had had more time in the beautiful city of Córdoba.

Clean, centrally located, but utilitarian and not very charming.

Alberto was outstanding.

Christina was an excellent guide, with considerable knowledge about the museum, which she presented in a lively and interesting manner.

Jenk was a friendly and informative guide. We liked that it was in the Chamberi neighborhood, which has fewer tourists and so felt like an authentic experience.

The hotel itself is stunning in its preservation of historical detail. The beds and pillows were very good, supportive and comfortable without being too soft or too firm. The modern sinks and faucets can be a challenge, depending on your room. The auto shutoff was an irritant regardless. Breakfast was excellent, and in an absolutely beautiful space. The staff were attentive, but not oppressive, and seemed truly happy to be of service. One criticism would be the difficulty of vehicles getting to the hotel entrance -- taxis had the proper transponders to lower the bollards to access the street, while private drivers did not.

This felt like a private villa, which it used to be. The staff were impeccable and our room was lovely. The grounds and meals were also above-par.

Our room was large, the staff were helpful and professional and friendly, and the breakfast offerings were superior in both quality and variety. This hotel is in an excellent location and is of very high quality.

This hotel was in a *perfect* location for exploring Old Town Zaragoza, enjoying views over the river (sunrises, sunsets, and fireworks at the close of the Festival de Pilar), and gave easy access to shopping, dining, transit, and major attractions. While the building lacked the historical appeal of other accommodations, the room itself was extremely comfortable, well appointed, and clean. We ate one dinner and two breakfasts at the hotel restaurant; the meals were good, but did not stand out as exceptional when compared to virtually any other meals we enjoyed in Spain. The staff were capable and friendly.

What a fantastic way to get to see more of San Sebastián than just the beach and central area! We stopped in several areas, learned about the town and the architecture, the university, the local sports, the history of royalty visiting the area, and even got to stop and play a tiny bit of Basque handball! Very cool, lots of fun.

Between Bilbao and San Sebastián, you can choose to go by bus, taxi, or private guide. Going on a highway may be fast and efficient, but it doesn't give any context to the area. By hiring a private guide, we got to stop in numerous small towns, including Guernica, where we visited the site of the Basque council's seat of government. We took short hikes, saw sites and sights all along the coast, enjoyed an excellent lunch in the town where Balenciaga is from, and learned SO MUCH about the history of the area, the Basque people, the cultural traditions, the landscape and geography, and what keeps these small seaside communities thriving today.

Our day changed up a bit, so that instead of simply hiking, we also got to forage for mushrooms, visit a small chapel and beautiful overlook, and enjoy some time driving in the area and visiting multiple forests. This was necessitated when one member of our party was unable to safely complete the hike, and our guide was simple wonderful about falling back on an alternate itinerary for us. This area was stunning in every way, and completely worth visiting no matter which activities you choose.

The nature of this experience is likely to feel chaotic, especially when you have 10-12 people and half of them have some form of dietary restriction. Having said that, the foods we sampled were incredible and our guide did an impressive job of ensuring that everyone would have something to sample at each of the many stops we made. We had a lot of fun and were glad we had this tour on our itinerary.

We didn't know until we arrived that we would be in Zaragoza for the last two days of the city's primary festival, the Festival de Pilar. This made the experience so much more special! Despite the huge crowds, our guide did a wonderful job of sharing with us her love of the city, its history, the two primary churches in the old town, and the nature of the festival itself. We would recommend this tour without hesitation!

We rescheduled this tour in the city of Zaragoza, rather than in Barcelona. Our experience was mind-blowing and our guide was exceptional.

Montserrat is worth visiting, especially the museum there. Standing outside the church and waiting to see if you can get inside for a singing performance is not worth it. We strongly recommend spending that time in the museum or riding the funicular or pursuing some other interests. The museum is outstanding, as are the views from the top of the funicular. The quality of your guide will strongly influence your enjoyment of this experience. The winery stop was a lovely way to end the day.

Daniel (Dani) was knowledgeable and a joy to spend our time with. He patiently answered our questions and enthusiastically shared stories of the history and culture we were seeing. Exploring the Gothic Quarter with him was a true joy, and his insider knowledge of La Sagrada Familia was outstanding.

It’s in the heart of Barcelona shopping district, but it still feels out of the way. The staff go out of their way to make you feel special and invited. They upgraded my daughter and me too sweet our last night there, and it made her feel so special and was a perfect ending to our first vacation in Spain.

Everything about this hotel exceeds your expectations. From the setting, to the people, to the food, you will not be disappointed. For someone who values, excellent service, and clean and unique accommodations, Villa Favorita, does not disappoint.

This hotel is lovely and comfortable with amazing views. We also loved the breakfast. The location is fantastic, right next to a bustling plaza with some of the best tapas we had the entire trip. Thanks so much for making our stay in Granada even more beautiful.

Pablo was a wealth of information. He is so clearly passionate and knowledgeable. His energy was infectious and the 3 hours flew by!

Jaime was an amazing guide! His passion and excitement for the Alhambra was inspiring and apparent throughout the tour. He was patient and answered any question we had. Highly recommend this experience. It was a main highlight of our trip!

Very location with a lot of history in the building, converted in a very charming and aesthetically pleasing way. Extremely helpful staff.

Nice location with comfortable beds. Polite, helpful staff and a delicious breakfast.

Nice location with very comfortable beds. Polite, helpful staff and a delicious breakfast.

The building exterior and lobby has character. It is not very big hotel so there is not a lot of people going in and out of the hotel. The staff was friendly and helpful - they helped us arranged for take away breakfast on days we had early tours. We were only able to eat breakfast at their restaurant once and we wished we ate there every morning because what we had was yummy! The hotel is located in a busy street so at night you can hear some commotions. One thing they need to update is that their website says they have laundry service but we were told that service is no longer provided.

This 1 bedroom apartment is spacious and had all the amenities we needed. The facade has character but the inside is very modern. It's in the heart of Las Ramblas across Palau Guell and a short walk between to Metro stations. It was nice that the entrance is keyless and we felt safe walking in the street of the apartment even late in the evening.

Our room was clean and comfortable. The location was great -near many sites and public transportation. The staff was very helpful. The breakfast buffet had a wide selection of food and tey were delicious.

Diego gave us an excellent tour of the city with lots of interesting information. We moved quickly which works best for us. Would love to go on another tour with him.

Our favorite. Gina was great & we did have a very compatible group. The places we stopped were diverse & were well prepared & awaiting us. Wouldn’t want to change a thing.

Excellent guide, good speed of tour, good information, felt safe riding

Our guide seemed quite nervous & uncomfortable & had a hard time answering specific questions. We moved much slower than we wanted.

We did not hike but took the boat which was fine. Same problems with the guide as the other tour.

Daniel was a great guide. Nice to get out & walk. Went a little long.

This tour was cancelled for us prior to our trip but I would book it with Diego if we go back.

This hotel was amazing!! It has so much personality and history. My number 1 recommendation! I also advise against driving to the hotel. Park your car at public parking and take a cab or walk to the hotel. You will find yourself on the tiniest alleyways. Save the stress and get a cab. This hotel had charm and a daily tea time that was so much fun to partake in!

Excellent guide —an architect and artist

Guide seemed a bit low-key. We saw interesting historic relics, chanced upon a group doing human pyramids.

Fabulous building, but large tour group. Well handled considering the crowds. Loved learning some of the ideas behind the building. Most impressive!

Lovely change of pace. A bit crowded

Fabulous food at the restaurant, amazing facility. It’s an interesting contrast to the usual winery setup

Great fun to explore the market and then prepare the meal. It was a great change of pace after all the educational activities.

A nice hotel in a rural setting. The kitchenette enabled us to make our breakfasts and couple of dinners at the hotel. Includes a nice pool and some farm animals (ponies and chickens).

Andres did a great job adapting the tour to what we were looking for and was very friendly. He even produced an iPad with drawings and maps of the cathedral!

No cab driver knew this place-- a tiny hotel with some style and comfort. But off a small street, off a side street, off another small street-- all dark. If you're looking for comforts, this isn't the place for you. More like a two star. But very cheap.

Very well-located with great staff. Room very up to date/stylish and comfortable. Breakfast not so great- ended up going out for breakfast a couple of mornings.

Well located and comfortable accomodation. But caters to large tour groups-- breakfast can be noisy and competitive.

well-located but (decor, plumbing) very dated-- stylish for the 1950s.

This is a three star that is bare-bones as far as hotel services and comfort. The bed and the shower were very good, the breakfast was find, there was a gym, and the room was very clean. But creature comforts were practically non-existent: no closet, no drawers, not even a glass in the bath "area." Good for no-frills travellers looking for value over creature comforts. Location far from ideal-- go out the wrong way at the front door and you'll be in a drug market in five minutes.

The rooms are spare but plumbing is up to date and the bed very comfortable. The restaurant and reception staff are top notch. The location couldn't be better.

Ann Marie was outstanding-- wish I could have taken her along for the rest of the trip. Knowledgeable and fun.

A great guide and a lot of fun!

Probably one of our best guides for the whole trip. Carlos had a wealth of knowledge AND passion for all things Toldeo. It was an honor to experience Toledo with Carlos!

I thought this might be a bit hokey-- but really enjoyed the show!

We were with a group for this tour (@ dozen people). Our guide made the visit even more special given his African background and multi-cultural view of the world.

Antonio was a great driver and beautiful car! Though he didn't speak much English, it was a very enjoyable trip through beautiful countryside, and lovely time in Ronda. So glad we were able to squeeze this in!

We had two guides for our touring in Córdoba-- Isabel and Sarah. Both were outstanding in their knowledge and passion for their city and its amazing sites. Great tour

yes amazing and wonderful fun; learned alot. Ate even more. The best event of the trip if you ask me.

Enjoyed this visit very much. Learned alot.

Teresa was a good guide for us in Seville.

Again our guide Irene was outstanding and we enjoyed every minute we spent with her in Bilbao. She went out of her way to be helpful to us-- even checking on how we could get to San Sebastien the next day. Which we did with great success!

Omayo (sp?) was just fantastic and this whole evening was great fun, with good food, wine and companions.

Eduardo was a fanstastic companion for this magical day trip.

Ghislane was an amazing hostess and guide. Lots of fun.