Hector Molina

Hector:
Sorry for the delay in getting the review done, but since returning from our Epic Journey we have been busy preparing our house & yard for winter.
As for our trip;
- Timing for all our transfers, hotel locations and quality of hotels were exceptional. 10/10
- KimKim selection and arrangement of all tours met expectations with minor issues, which we have provided comments below. 9/10
- KimKim selections of meal locations and foods tours was also exceptional, which provided us with a broad selection of the local culture. 10/10
- All guides were exceptional, they were very personable and provided an informative review of the areas that they toured us through. They were all engaged in their work which was nice to see. 10/10
- Ease of access to rail and bus service from our accommodation was incredibly good, as we were in central or almost central locations, which allowed us to walk to most of the attractions in the city.
- 0verall the whole trip was fantastic with no issues whatsoever. We would select Kim Kim again when we are planning another vacation. 9.5/10
Following are comments about the activities that were arranged by KimKim:
- Montserrat Museum did not meet our expectations, as we were unable to see buildings and churches without paying extra for passes. 7/10
- Mix-up with our driver/taxi for our Ronda & White Village tours as we our driver was unable to speak any English, which made it difficult to communicate. We were able to do so using our phones to type messages, which allowed the driver to provide us with updates as to what we were doing. Overall, the trip was good. 8/10
- Our Discover Rural Algarve trip was similar to the Sunset Trip the day before. Although we were unable to change the trip when we check with KimKim, our driver was very accommodating and as such being a local, he was able to change the trip to allow us to see other parts of the Algarve that we did not see the day before. His knowledge of the area and history of such allowed this mix-up to turn into a very exceptional daytrip. 9.0/10
- Our final accommodation at the Wine House Hotel did not meet our expectations. Although it was a unique experience with relaxing views of the vineyard, the room was very small and difficult to maneuver within 8.0/10
Thank you to you and the KimKim team for planning such a wonderful trip. We look forward to using KimKim in the future.

We had a 12-night itinerary planned to include visits to Lisbon (5 nights), Evora (2 nights) and Algarve (5 nights). Hector, my travel agent, worked tirelessly with me to select the best itinerary patiently suggesting lodging and excursions that fit with my family interests which included biking, hiking, kayaking and experiencing the local culture.

Lisbon:
-Tuk-Tuk tour to learn about the neighborhoods and history of the city.
-Tile Museum - enjoyable and self-guided. Get timed tickets. We arrived for 10 AM tour (first tour of day) and there was a line of people waiting that had not purchased tickets.
-Restaurant Sancho - walking distance to our hotel. We ate here 3 times. Octopus is fabulous!
-Sintra - Loved this guided walking tour to Pena Castle...yes, walking tour! Honestly, it was not difficult. Paul, our awesome guide, had so much history to share which included history back to the 1100's through current day. He made a lunch of all local foods. At the beginning of the tour, he purchased pastries for us to try which were delicious! He tailored the speed of walking based on our needs. Although we had timed tickets, we opted not to tour the inside the rooms of the castle because we would have still had to wait in lines.
-Nazare - we returned to Lisbon prior to returning home so had a rental car. We went to Nazare the location of the tallest waves in the world. There is a small surfing museum at the Forte De S Miguel Arcanjo viewing site worth the euro to walk through. We also took beginner surf lessons at SURF4YOU school. Anna was our private (group of 3) guide for the 2-hour lesson. She successfully had us all riding the waves by the end of the lesson and has a bright and engaging personality. I highly recommend her.

Evora:
-Cork and Castle Tour - 3 hour private guided tour that I highly recommend. The tour guide, Joao Matos, a PhD student of history, was our guide for this tour. He was a wealth of knowledge including current and long ago history.

Lagos:
-Cascade Wellness Resort - great place to stay with a wonderful breakfast buffet. This was a 2 bedroom apartment living with washer/dryer which was perfect since our son joined us for the last week of the trip. They have several pools and gym and was a relaxing place to unwind in the late afternoons. It is within walking distance (~ 1 mile) to the historic town which we walked to and from for dinner each night.
-Lagos & Ponta da Piedade Bike Tour - We rented e-bikes and biked approximately 25 miles mostly away from traffic. Loved the ride and a nice change up from walking. Highly recommend. John was our guide and not only had fun in mind but safety. He would stop along the way and brief us on what was coming up in the next couple of miles insuring everyone was comfortable at the speed and distance of the trip.
-Algarve Kayaking Trip to Benagil Caves - Equally loved this trip, although more crowded. Once you are on the water you don't feel so overwhelmed with people. There are many tours going on at the same time. Raphael, our guide, was funny and engaging.
-Hiking - 1. Fisherman's Trail hikes above the Benagil Cave and along the coast. Many people do this hike. 2. Route of the Seven Hanging Valleys (All Trails App) was gorgeous and less traveled. The second trail was our favorite if you only have a choice of one.

Tips:
-Driving: Portugal is a right-side of the road driving. You need to get an International Driving License (which is easy to obtain). It would be best to review Portuguese road signs before traveling...while universal...there were many signs not frequently seen in the USA.

-Helpful to have Euros upon arrival: We primarily operated on credit cards but there are times you need small bills (5 euros and 1 and 2 euro coins for tipping). Review tipping guidelines in Portugal...they are very different from USA.

-MPC App - Mobil Passport Control App: this is worth downloading for your return to USA. It is an easily downloadable app that allows you to complete a short 6 question survey to get through customs into the USA. It allows you to add up to 11 people traveling in your party to expedite going through customs. It does not cost anything and there is a separate line when you enter customs area to fast-track you through customs.

-Trip Plans App: This was the first tour I have taken where my entire itinerary was at my finger tips in an app on my cell phone. It was amazing to have including phone numbers to contact the guides directly and a chat function that was invaluable to ask questions or communicate changes in the itinerary. For example: our surf lesson time was changes to coincide with low tide. The travel guides communicated this information in real time and immediately updated the itinerary on my phone to reflect the changes. It was perfect and reassuring to know I had someone to reach out to for guidance.

I highly recommend this company for travel plans to Portugal. They were great to work with. Thank you, Hector, and the team of people that supported us throughout our journey.

Activity Reviews

Surf the Big Waves of Nazaré

Portugal

Never did I think I would be able to stand on a surf board and ride a wave in at age 62 but this surfing outfitter succeeded in insuring the three of us taking a lesson did just that! The outfitter was well-organized moving a group of us to the beach, insuring we were warmed up, and knew the steps to standing on the board before we got on the water. Very organized while keeping it fun.

Quality of Experience

It was a first time attempt at surfing made fun by the instructor.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Anna was an amazing and encouraging guide. She successfully got all of us standing on the board and riding the wave to shore.

Kayaking the Algarve: Discover the Benagil Caves

Portugal

The tour operator was organized and had us set up for kayaking quickly. The beach launching the kayaks is a choke-point with numerous tour operators all negotiating getting their guests launched. It appears that each group going had a scheduled time of launch because although the operators were competing for clients, they all worked together to provide a good experience for all kayaking and enjoying their time on the water.

Quality of Experience

Raphael, our guide was great! He was funny but very attentive to safety which is important on the water.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Raphael was excellent and funny!

Algarve E-Bike Experience: Villages & Secluded Beaches

Portugal

E-bike operator was organized and timely with getting the trip started. We biked ~25 miles that morning spaced with time for rest (if needed), stop for beverage and visit to beaches.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

John was kind and easy to converse with. We enjoyed riding along the beaches and cresting a hill to see 360 degree views of the area.

Exploring the Cork Tradition of the Alentejo

Portugal

This was our second tour with Joao Matos and it was as interesting and engaging as the first. He is local to the area so adds in his personal experience growing up. His passion for the area is clearly felt as he speaks about the best aspects of Evora. It is obvious, Joao has experience with guiding as he seems to have great repoire with all the staff in the buildings we visited.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cannot say enough about Joao Matos. He was knowledgeable and attentive to our questions.

Transport

Our guide and driver had a very good repoire. We ended our trip on a hillside watching the sunset.

Évora Through the Ages: Guided Walk

Portugal

Joao Matos is a PhD student with the local university studying history. He utilizes his educational background to provide details of Portuguese history. He is kind and will tailor his speaking points to your interest. I found him to be open to discussion on topics both current and historical.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Joao Matos is amazing guide!

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

We chose to hike to the Pena Castle through a series of beautiful trails in park-like setting hidden from the crowds. Paul, our guide, was exceptional tailoring conversation and information to our interests. The lunch he prepared for the hike was made from all locally grown and prepared breads and vegetables and he even purchased pastries to sample on the trail.

Quality of Experience

Appropriate length of hike.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Paul was so knowledgeable, approachable and friendly.

Transport

Explore Lisbon by Electric Tuk-Tuk

Portugal

Picked us up at hotel and was a great way to begin our trip to Portugal.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The whole trip was unbelievable. Well planned out and completed for the most part without any hiccups.
We had two excursions in Lagos but felt the second one that you planned was too similar to the first. We felt this should have been picked up by one of your staff and we could have ordered something different. The sunset tour which took place first, was quite uncomfortable for that long of a drive and we were advised a picnic was to be provided but we were given a full meal which was great. Our only problem with this tour is we were not advised of the length of time and we were not prepared with jackets or sweaters to be driving late at night - a note should be sent to people taking this to advise to bring something warm. The jeep was quite uncomfortable for the length of time as well. The second tour our guide Rue was very accommodating. We experienced a wonderful unplanned trip after he spoke with uas and it was decided that the previous days excursion was too similar. He took us to some wonderful areas in the region and showed so much passion for what he was showing us. We called it "Rue's Romantic Tour" He was awesome and
so was his boss for allowing him to do something different with us. Thank you - It truly was a trip to remember.

Hotel Review

Seda Club Granada

Granada

Absolutely stunning hotel - extremely comfortable and staff were exceptional. I would take one star off for a service which was provided for us. One thing negative it was the price of the laundry service - We received it back and it was still too damp to pack and compared to all other locations their prices were at least 3-4 times higher. That left a bad taste.

Authenticity & Character

It was just over the top. - who gets Dyson hair dryers at a hotel. Just extreme comfort.

Location

It was a beautiful hotel situated in a park area. Easy access to squares for restaurants and shops.

Staff

Very pleasant and accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds were lovely as were the towels. Ambience in room was top notch

Activity Reviews

Douro Valley Wine Tasting & Quinta Lunch

Douro Valley

Beautiful facility. Lunch was our favorite meal on our trip The lady at the winery had a bit of an edge. Could have done without some sarcasm

Quality of Experience

Food

the whole meal. awesome

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was excellent - Telma Guide was not super professional

Transport

Douro Valley Wine Experience & River Cruise

Douro Valley

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

exceptional guide -Telma

Transport

great driver

Lisbon Roots: A Food & Cultural Walk

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Discover Rural Algarve

Portugal

WE did not do this had a different experience with this guide thanks to him and his boss for allowing us to change saw some beautiful beaches, spent time at a cafe overlooking the ocean and learning some really unique things.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience

Portugal

Over rated. Beautiful at the top. Long cab to get there, get in a jeep and go quite a distance uncomfortable Chilly at night should advise people to bring a jacket or sweater.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

shorter trip in another vehicle

Monumental Seville on Foot & Visit Real Alcázar

Seville

Great tour - guide was a little too quiet. She was very knowledgeable but tough to hear.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

a microphone would have helped

Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Ronda & the White Villages

Spain

Beautiful scenery - long drive. Not sure what happened but we had a driver who could not speak English. He tried very hard. Two drivers showed up and he was given us. Felt it should have been better organized. Not fair to him but he was unable to tell us about what we were seeing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

vehicle good, driver good, poor roads

Guided Visit: Alhambra & Generalife Gardens

Granada

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Night of Flamenco in a Sacromonte Cave

Granada

Was an experience to share a cultural passion. Too cramped in the facility

Quality of Experience

better venue

Toledo Highlights Day Excursion

Madrid

Wonderful tour of Toledo with a guide who was passionate about what he was telling us

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking Madrid’s Old Town

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Montserrat & Penedès: Nature, Devotion & Cava

Barcelona

The experience was so so. I felt having to pay for everything to enter once there was ridiculous. Considering we paid for the tour. Montserrat was a bit of a bust for that reason but beautiful atmosphere. winery was ok

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Taste Barcelona: Authentic Tapas & Neighborhood Walk

Barcelona

Great food with a wonderful tour guide

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Traditional food was excellent

Transport

Barcelona & Gaudí: Walking Among Gaudi's Iconic Works

Barcelona

Experience was great and a very knowledgeable guide. Enjoyed his enthusiasm.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

a taxi was required for transport which worked out fine

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

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

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

Hotel Reviews

Flores Boutique Hotel

Porto

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

M'ar de Ar Aqueduto

Évora

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

Authenticity & Character

Location

Within the old city walls next to the aqueduct.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness

Lagos Avenida Hotel

Lagos

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

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cente

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Exploring Sintra & Cascais: Palaces, Cliffs & Coastline

Lisbon

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

Quality of Experience

No

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full van of 8 people, a little tight

Catamaran Boat Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach

Portugal

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

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Go West to Belém by Tuk-Tuk

Lisbon

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

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Soul of Lisbon: Fado Dinner Experience

Portugal

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

Quality of Experience

Food

Douro Valley Highlights: Wine, Olive Oil & River Cruise

Porto

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

Quality of Experience

Food

Fish at lunch was good, the beef looked inedible

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

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