Beatriz De Pablo Rocha

I heard about KimKim through a friend who frequently uses the service. I decided to take a chance and use the services for my upcoming trip to Portugal with my boyfriend. Beatriz was super easy to work with and made adjustments based off of my input. It was very easy to approve the final itinerary and was stress free since all I had to do was make final payment. Our flight was cancelled and we were rebooked and I was able to reach out to have our driver pickup updated. I was very happy they were able to accommodate us. One first tour was scheduled on the date we landed. We met at the meeting point but there was no tour. We learned the tour was accidentally booked for the wrong day. I was able to reach out to get help and the agent I spoke to was very apologetic. She refunded the tour costs and double checked to make sure everything else was booked correctly. That incident put us a little on guard but the rest of the trip went perfectly! All of our tours went as promised and our drivers were all on time (early). We especially loved our day tour to Sintra. Our tour guide, Teresa, was very pleasant and super knowledgeable. It rained early that morning and she had extra umbrellas for us. For lunch, she took us to a local spot and we enjoyed being able to eat some authentic Portugese food. We were very happy with how everything went minus the one tour hiccup. I would def recommend and use again.

Hotel Review

Exe Almada Porto

Porto

Great location! This hotel was like a Portugese hotel with American amenities. Hotel staff was friendly and I loved how clean everything was. The location is perfect and we were able to walk just about everywhere. I'd recommend and stay there again when in Porto!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Discover Sintra & Wines of the Old World

Portugal

While our guide changed several times, there seemed to be a smooth transition to the next person. When we had questions or needed assistance the guides were quick to reply, and helpful. Setting up our rental car and accommodations was excellent. We didn't use the service for too many excursions other than a guided bike and hike which were both excellent. We stayed in three different places over just over two weeks. Accommodations were all excellent. We didn't really care for our first town, Lake Garda but enjoyed Lake Iseo, and loved the Dolomites.

Hotel Reviews

Waldrast - Forestside Living

Siusi (BZ)

Beautiful hotel set within walking distance to the trails and Gondala ride. They include guided cycling and hiking day adventures which was really nice. While several hotels participate in this shared offering, there was only one other couple for our bike day.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Romantik Hotel Relais Mirabella Iseo

Clusane Iseo (BS)

Loved this hotel up on the hillside. Beautiful surroundings and lovely staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Piccola Vela

Desenzano del Garda

Wonderful hotel with great service. All people were very friendly and the food was excellent. We had a wonderful dinner. The grounds of the hotel were relaxing and peaceful, out of the business of the town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Walking the Dolomites: Guided Hike on Alpe di Siusi

Italy

The guide was absolutely excellent. We had a very full day on Alpe di Siusi and it was one of the highlights of our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were overall very happy with the trip. The transfers for the most part and the stays were all great. And most of our tours were amazing. We also loved the details of little celebrations of our anniversary in each one of our lodgings. The ease of planning a multi stay trip in Italy was the best part, as all this planning would have taken us weeks on our own.
We had a couple of minor inconveniences, but otherwise were so pleased with the entire experience.
Our transfer to Cinque Terre could have been a bit smoother. We figured out easily how to get the car in Rome and then drive to Tuscany easily, based on instructions. After Tuscany, however ,there was some information we were missing. We needed to get the car to the drop off in La Spezia and then get on the train there to get to our lodging. None of this was mentioned in the transfer details. We also had to take a bus in La Spezia to the train station from the car drop off, also not mentioned. We managed this all fine, but would have been nice to know prior to the day of travel.
We were very grateful for the nice upgrade to rooms in Monterosso since we think the original hotel we were booked in was closed for repairs. This was a wonderful stay and we were treated so kindly there by the hostess Tamara.
Our other tours were very well done. The itinerary indicated that all the tour guides would be advised of my celiac disease and inability to eat gluten. The tours that included food were not all advised and on the boat tour in Cinque Terre the guide felt terrible as the boat had not loaded any GF items to make up for the appetizer, bread, or dessert for me. I was disappointed at this as was my husband as he was eating all the food and I could only eat the fish and salad. Lisa, our guide in Rome for our food tour was advised however and made sure that I had GF options for the majority of the tour. She was amazing as a first guide to start out the trip and we loved Rome even more because of her. Also our second food tour in Rome, dinner with a local, was in the same restaurant as one of our stops with Lisa. This would have been hard to predict, and overall did not take away from the experience, but it would have been nice to try a different restaurant. That guide, although I can't remember her name was amazing. She was a college student and had a great perspective on Italy.
The tour from Radda was a bit odd as the guide did not seem to know what our tour was supposed to entail and had some difficulty with English. We did a 10 k loop hiking which was fabulous and the scenery was amazing and the guide gave us a lot of good info about the area and local flora and fauna in English. However, that tour was supposed to include a wine tasting at the end and she did not have that as part of the tour.
Overall this was a lovely trip and having everything mostly planned for us was a life saver with our busy schedules. We also appreciated the detailed attention to the transfers at the beginning and end of the trip, as those long travel days are a lot.
Beatriz had great communication and going forward we have already planned on using KimKim for our next trip to Europe.

Beatriz at Espiritu Travel put together a wonderful trip and itinerary for our trip to Tangier and Andalucia in Spain. The selection of hotels was amazing and exactly what we were expecting. The hotels were always in the city center close to touristic attractions and dining. Our guide and drivers were friendly and helpful, our guide Delfina at the Alhambra was very sweet, knowledgeable and accommodating as we couldn't find a taxi in the pouring rain and arrived late. The Caminito del Rey hike through the gorge was the highlight of our trip.
Our only complaints were the noise outside our hotel in Tangier, our room was on the first floor overlooking the Petite Socco and the noise level kept us up during the night. This is a busy section of the Medina in Tangier and would have preferred a room away from the street. However, the room was authentic and very pretty. These was also a little confusion regarding our rental car access to the historic district of Grenada, we would have appreciated more details regarding getting through the check points. Overall the itinerary and activities were well planned and thought-out, thank you to Beatriz and her team for putting together a great trip, we would consider using KimKim and their specialists for our future travels. Thank you.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Palacete de Alamos

Málaga

Beautiful and spacious room very close to the touristic center of Malaga. The breakfasts were amazing and the staff was friendly and accommodating.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close to the touristic center of Malaga.

Staff

very friendly and accommodating staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Parador de Cádiz

Cádiz

Beautiful and spacious hotel, our room was facing the water with a beautiful view. Unfortunately we were only there for one night.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel appeared to be recently renovated.

Location

Waterfront view

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Night of Flamenco in a Sacromonte Cave

Granada

A thrilling experience, we loved being introduced to Flamenco dancing in an authentic Sacromonte location.

Quality of Experience

Discover Granada’s Iconic Alhambra & Generalife Gardens

Spain

The Alhambra is an amazing place and a not to be missed site in Granada, unfortunately it was raining the day we were there so it made the visit less than ideal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Above the Gorge: Walk the Caminito del Rey

Spain

Tapeo Like a Local: A Tapas Walk Through Málaga

Málaga

Our guide Milady was friendly and knowledgeable, she ran a great tapas tour through Madrid

Quality of Experience

We enjoyed the selection of tapas and wines at each of our stops.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bea, our travel consultant, took the bundle of inclinations and desires we first approached her with and crafted a thoroughly enjoyable, stress free trip through Portugal. To start, the accommodations were luxurious, comfortable, nicely located and, most importantly, well staffed. Without exception, the workers in Portugal's hospitality industry are hardworking, skilled professionals, but it doesn't stop at that. They were sincere in their concern for our comfort, in their pride in their work and in being Portuguese.
Private guides helped to break down the barriers of language, custom, history and culture. Dani, who led a food tour, could convey the most nuanced conundrum of daily life with a gesture and a grimace. Alex and Petito, each of whom had previously lived abroad pursuing careers in tech, offered fluid perspectives on being Portuguese and in being American as seen through the eyes of the Portuguese. Marta, of We hate Tourism tours, calmly went above and beyond the call of duty to see us through a minor mishap, forging a resolution and continuing the tour to its completion. Unruffled. That's the order of the day, unruffled.
This was a terrific vacation. There was relaxation and overeating and whatever else one might enjoy.

Firstly Beatriz was great to work with as she created and planned our trip.
Travelling from Rome through to Portugal our whole experience was very smooth with such an amazing app with all the details of flights , tickets and recommendations so easily accessible. We had an amazing holiday full of tours and tastings without any effort of organising it so a big cheers.

Hotel Reviews

PortoBay Marquês

Lisbon

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel OFF Paris Seine 4*

Paris

great view great food - amazing pastrys

Condominio Monti Boutique Hotel

Rome

Amazing staff comfy beds great breakfast

Staff

so friendly and naturally interested

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Culinary Highlights of Porto: Food Delights & Bolhão Market

Porto

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

An Evening of Flamenco

Seville

Quality of Experience

Taste Barcelona: Authentic Tapas & Neighborhood Walk

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A Sweet Walk Through Montmartre

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A Taste of Rome: Espresso, Tiramisu, & Gelato

Rome

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great trip! Everything was planned perfectly, every tour guide was exceptional, and every transfer arrived on time. We were traveling during the holidays and I expected to have at least one glitch, but all went smoothly. I would highly recommend this service, and we will use them again to travel. Our local specialist was Beatriz- there was never a time I texted on the trip, with questions, that she or one of the travel agency staff did not answer immediately. They actually have people on call during the holidays and on the weekends in case we had questions or any problems. Exceptional service!
One of the best family trips we have had in years!

Communicated a number of times with Kimkim during the trip with changes that would improved the experience. Please let me know if I need to repeat these.

The trip overall was lovely. A few snafus with hotel, transport and experience. Nothing that could not be rectified.

Hotel Reviews

The Glam

Rome

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Imago Plus Bari

Bari

We did not stay here. Was very close brushing when our driver dropped us at an apt building that did not indicate it was lodging. N one greeted us. All communications were via text or phone calls as we waited to hear that the hotel had double booked. Had to lug our luggage 7 blocks to an apt . Directions to enter the outer doors let alone the apt were not clear. Apt was lovely nice we were settled.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

In person discussion when problems arise with customers

Cleanliness & Comfort

Relais Le Clarisse Rome

Rome

In Travestre, where the locals live. Was a great experience… had a fantastic room with a beautiful terrace.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Out of downtown Rome but easily accessible by a walk. Just what we wanted

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Relais Il Chiostro di Pienza

Pienza

Charm , creativity Fort and views of Tuscany! Would stay here next time we are in country

Authenticity & Character

An ancient convent with updated amenities. Loved this hotel

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Villa Nardi Florence

Firenze

Authenticity & Character

Location

N the hill, out of downtown and away from crowds of tourist. Beautiful setting

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palazzo Vitturi

Venice

Paid attention to our needs. Had trouble with plumbing (not unusual in Venice) resolved with ease and finesse . So very gracious. Hotel was clean mfortable and accessible to all we did.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

From Trevi Fountain to Roman Forum: Explore Rome on a Golf Cart

Rome

Claudio listened to our request to see his Rome. Just a fantastic tour

Quality of Experience

Guide tailored our tour to what we requested. Was a joy to learn about the history from a personal perspective

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Loved Claudio

Truffle Hunting Experience in the Woods of Tuscany

Italy

The tour was fabulous. A must do. Our scheduled ride to the estate did not show up. A British couple took pity on us and brought us to the estate for the tour. We were told at the estate that we needed a driver to take us to the truffle hunting forest. Other guests took pity on us yet again and gave us a ride. Make sure a driver is assigned to the guest for the entire day eliminating the “pity part” aspect. Otherwise, that activity was enchanting.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides were fantastic. Driver was nonexistent.

Transport

Tuscan Excursion: Siena & San Gimignano with Wine Tasting & Lunch

Italy

Not sure f anyone ever said they did not enjoy Tuscany. Enchanting!

Quality of Experience

Our driver, Marco, gets driver f the year. Remarkable man

Guides, Drivers and Staff

As above

Transport

Made in Florence: A Journey Through the City’s Artisan Heritage

Florence

We learned so very much from our guide. She was engaging and entertained my historical questions and comment.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Florence Market Walk & Tuscan Cooking Experience

Florence

When can we go again? This is a must do when in Florence.

Quality of Experience

The tour of the market prior to the cooking was a great connection.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jennifer was informative and engaging

A Venetian Lagoon Experience: Rowing Through Venice’s Quiet Canals

Venice

Best activity n the water! Skip the gondola rides. This is Italy. Wished we had known prior that this was a female owned nonprofit whose mission is to preserve the art f bateaux rowing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Eleanor’s was an excellent trainer

Venice after Dark: A Cicchetti & Wine Experience

Venice

Truly enjoyed our visit and so appreciative of the thee members of our party understand our tardiness. We had a lovely time with our guide. He was an excellent host providing food and wine pairing details along with historical perspectives. A delightful evening.

Quality of Experience

Small group and guide who is excited to share with information. Delightful

Food

Great variety and so very fresh. Explanation was fun

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We could use GPS better. No fault but ours

Bea and Team!

Firstly I am sorry to be a bit tardy but after being away for an extended period of time, life has beckoned us and we are now juggling home and work life which all require attention since we have been away. I would like to go back and be more specific with details, but for this moment I simply don't have the time.

The trip was great with only one snafu which was the double booking of Bari leaving us without a reservation. It could happen to anyone, but one thing that would have helped is to have a driver or tax pick up all our luggage to transport to the next place so we didn't have to carry many piece of luggage and gifts many blocks which was nearly impossible. Again, that is the only thing that wasn't perfect! I will use Bea and KimKim in the future!