Profile photo for Helena Fernández
10526 messages
active 2 days ago

Helena Fernández

I love traveling and discovering the highlights and secrets that every place has. And I am happy when I can share it with other people who want to experience it too.
I'm in love with my country, Spain, where we have anything you think of, be it culture, landscapes, architecture or gastronomy.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Personalized itineraries in Spain and Portugal to discover the stories which are hidden around every corner, between the oldest or the most modern buildings, what the locals know well."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I've traveled with my parents since childhood to a lot of places throughout Spain and, from that, I've always had the curiosity to visit new places and to find their strong points, popular and turistic or more local places.
When I grew up, I surrounded myself with friends with the same travel ideas, and I began to explore Spain in a different way and also began to go abroad to see other countries and all their opportunities. I've been to Portugal, France, UK, Italy, Croacia, some Greek island, Tunicia, United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica but I want more!"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"A travel through the west part of Zamora and Salamanca, in Spain. This area has a lot of little cities and beautiful villages with castles and churches not seen anywhere else. And wandering around their little streets and going from one town to another through picturesque and narrow roads, enjoying the landscape and the stone little bridges, rivers and waterfalls that you find in your path, hardly crossing another vehicle along the way, is a wonderful experience. And the cruise by the river in Douro National Park it's a plus."

Helena is part of the following groups: Portugal Travel Agents, Spain Travel Agents, Spain Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Helena

Beautifully Planned, Wonderfully Experienced - Sister Trip to Portugal
Portugal | Jul 27 - Aug 2, 2025

Eden
Eden C.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 04, 2025
I wanted to treat my sister to our first European vacation, and I’m so glad I chose KimKim to help make it unforgettable!
We decided on Portugal but weren’t sure where to begin—thankfully, our travel specialist Helena made the process seamless. She listened closely to how we like to travel, accommodated our dietary needs, and crafted an itinerary that perfectly suited us. Every hotel was well-located, and each experience felt personal and thoughtful.
We split our time between Porto and... Read more

I wanted to treat my sister to our first European vacation, and I’m so glad I chose KimKim to help make it unforgettable!
We decided on Portugal but weren’t sure where to begin—thankfully, our travel specialist Helena made the process seamless. She listened closely to how we like to travel, accommodated our dietary needs, and crafted an itinerary that perfectly suited us. Every hotel was well-located, and each experience felt personal and thoughtful.

We split our time between Porto and Lisbon, starting with a walking tour in Porto led by the amazing Elena. She was warm, knowledgeable, and made our first day so memorable—snapping great photos and sharing local insights. Helena also planned a food tour that introduced us to authentic Porto cuisine we’d never have found on our own. Unfortunately, I can't remember our tour guide's name for the food tour, but he also did a great job.

One of the absolute highlights was our trip to the Douro Valley with João, our incredible driver. I think he has to be one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met. I really could go on and on about how wonderful he was, but I’ll just say that our trip with João was a top highlight of the whole vacation. We learned so much about Portugal chatting with him and we were treated with such kindness. We really felt welcome, like we were family. I could not have asked for a better person to help us explore Porto. He also drove us from Porto to Lisbon, making amazing stops in Aveiro and Nazaré—where he got us local pastries, espresso, and secured a table at Pangeia by the Sea, our best meal of the trip.

In Lisbon, we had a fantastic tour with José, who not only showed us hidden photo spots but went the extra mile by walking us to a special lunch spot, recommending a great dish and wine, and ensuring the staff took excellent care of us. So thoughtful and above and beyond!

When nearby fires forced an itinerary change, communication through the travel app was prompt and seamless. Our hiking guide, Sonia, quickly adjusted our last day, turning it into a rich experience. She took us to Sintra, arranged castle tickets, introduced us to local treats, and even made brownies for my sister’s birthday! She ended the day by driving us to the famous Pastéis de Belém so we wouldn’t miss out on the locals’ favorite.

Every moment felt curated with care. My sister absolutely loved her birthday trip, and I’m so grateful to Helena, Elena, João, José, and Sonia for making it so special. We’ll definitely use KimKim again!

Activity Reviews
Private Guided Visit of Porto
Private Guided Visit of Porto
Porto

. Our tour guide, Elena, was wonderful! Not only was she knowledgeable, and we learned a lot but we also had fun and she took so many memorable pics for us. She made our first day in Porto a great one!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
There was no actual transport for this tour, as it was a walking tour.
Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market
Explore Porto's Culinary Scene and Bolhao Market
Porto

The tour was a fantastic experience, that exposed us to the wonderful world of Porto cuisine. We were shown classic restaurant locations, that we certainly wouldn’t have been about to find on our own. So much fun, and a unique experience. Unfortunately, I can't remember our tour guides name but he was great!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Excursion to Douro Valley:  Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Day Excursion to Douro Valley: Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Porto

Our driver, João, was incredible! Traveling with him was the highlight of the trip. He even talked about the NBA with my sister, which is one of her favorite things to chat about! Also, we enjoyed meeting Carla who gave us a tour of the Quinta Da Pacheca winery. She was fantastic and also had us laughing the whole time :)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Just having a kind person to chat with on the long drive was a highlight. I like to chat, and I learned so much about Portugal from João.
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Nazaré & Aveiro
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Nazaré & Aveiro
Portugal

This day was the one I was most concerned about (just because it would be a long day on the road) and it turned out to be a highlight of the trip! Nazaré was absolutely beautiful and Aveiro was lovely as well. But mostly it was chatting with João, understanding more about Portugal and seeing how we are all connected no matter where we grew up, that made the day special for my sister and I.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Everything was great! Just hire more people like João, and everyone will be sure to have a great trip :)
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

José was a fantastic tour guide. He found some special and unique spots for us to take pictures while also sharing the rich history of Lisbon. The highlight was a small lunch spot he recommended for the Red Vinho Verde that is a unique experience in Lisbon. José could have just pointed us in the right direction for the restaurant, but no, he took it a step further and walked us over to the restaurant, gave us the best recommendation to order and actually spoke to the staff to make sure they took care of us and we had the best experience. Just above and beyond what we could have expected.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Portugal

Sonia was a fanstic tour guide! She shaped a comprehensive experience to make up for a minor change in the itinerary. While in Sintra, she bought us tickets to the National Castle there, she took us to get a classic pastry and latte (which is always a plus), and she showed us other beautiful parts of Lisbon. She even made my sister brownies because she knew it was her birthday! So kind! She even heard me talking about where to get the best Pastel de Nata and let me know that the locals prefer the Pastéis de Belém, so she drove us to the location where they are made to make sure we tried it before we left. It turned out to be such a great day, even with the minor hiccup in the schedule.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Aug 06, 2025

Hi Eden,

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback!
I am delighted that your trip with your sister turned into such a special adventure. It is wonderful to hear how Elena, João, José, and Sonia made your experience personal and memorable—I will make sure they hear your kind words.

I am also glad we could keep things smooth when plans had to change, and that your sister’s birthday was celebrated with care.

I would love to help you plan your next trip whenever you are ready. 🤩

Warmest regards,
Helena

Everything was amazing! It was a family vacat...
Portugal | Jul 6 - Jul 15, 2025

Mindy
Mindy H.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Jul 16, 2025
Everything was amazing! It was a family vacation of a lifetime. Seeing 3 completely different regions of Portugal inside and out was epic and so memorable and we have the photos and videos to hold onto for life. All of the tours booked represented a wide variety of activities to do both on land and sea. We would recommend anyone to use Helena for booking a trip for themselves! The promptness and organization was top notch and made our trip far less stressful for us! Read more

Everything was amazing! It was a family vacation of a lifetime. Seeing 3 completely different regions of Portugal inside and out was epic and so memorable and we have the photos and videos to hold onto for life. All of the tours booked represented a wide variety of activities to do both on land and sea. We would recommend anyone to use Helena for booking a trip for themselves! The promptness and organization was top notch and made our trip far less stressful for us!

Hotel Reviews
Belmar Spa & Beach Resort
Lagos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pestana Carlton Madeira
Funchal
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel is a bit older, bathrooms are not as new/modern as we would have preferred and beds were not super comfortable, all that aside the views were wonderful and a 20 minute walk from the town!
BessaHotel Liberdade
Lisboa

Modern, clean, great location to walk around, great breakfast, bar, pool and gym!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Dolphin-Watching Tour
Dolphin-Watching Tour
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Algarve Kayaking Trip to Benagil Caves
Algarve Kayaking Trip to Benagil Caves
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Funchal Sunset Cruise Experience
Funchal Sunset Cruise Experience
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class with Local Products
Cooking Class with Local Products
Madeira
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monte Toboggan Experience by Tuk-Tuk
Monte Toboggan Experience by Tuk-Tuk
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Introducing Funchal - Food & Cultural Tour
Introducing Funchal - Food & Cultural Tour
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Sintra and Quinta de Regaleira
Discover Sintra and Quinta de Regaleira
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Lisbon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Jul 30, 2025

Hi Mindy,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I am happy to hear that your family had such a memorable experience discovering the different sides of Portugal. It is wonderful to know that the variety of activities made the trip enjoyable and that I helped to make it stress-free for you. 🤩

Whenever you are ready for your next adventure—whether in Portugal, Spain, Italy, or Morocco—I would be happy to help make it just as special.

Warmest regards,
Helena

Wonderful overview of the Spanish Basque Country!
Spain | Jun 22 - Jul 5, 2025

J
Julie B.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2025
We had such a wonderful trip as set up by Helena! Communication was seamless - she and the support crew responded quickly to adjust plans when needed. We enjoyed our local tour guides - Audrey in Paris, Miguel D. in Barcelona, and Diego in San Sebastian - as well as the pintxos tour in San Sebastian led by Erica and cooking lesson in Barcelona led by Mariángeles. Of special note, Jaime curated a truly enjoyable tour of the Basque Country coastal towns from San Sebastian to Bilbao, and... Read more

We had such a wonderful trip as set up by Helena! Communication was seamless - she and the support crew responded quickly to adjust plans when needed. We enjoyed our local tour guides - Audrey in Paris, Miguel D. in Barcelona, and Diego in San Sebastian - as well as the pintxos tour in San Sebastian led by Erica and cooking lesson in Barcelona led by Mariángeles.

Of special note, Jaime curated a truly enjoyable tour of the Basque Country coastal towns from San Sebastian to Bilbao, and Stepan led us on a super fun hike and seakayak Costa Brava experience. Those two days were our favorites!

Thank you Helena!

Hotel Review
NH Collection San Sebastián Aránzazu
San Sebastian

Really nice hotel in a quiet location - long-ish walk from old town but great access to interesting neighborhoods and a slightly less crowded beach.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Transfer  {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coastal Route
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coastal Route
Spain

Wonderful guide, beautiful and interesting countryside, really fun time soaking up the atmosphere, sampling at a winery, and eating a wonderful lunch. Enjoyed every aspect of this as curated by our guide, Jaime.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coastal Hike, Kayaking & Lagoon Dipping in Costa Brava
Coastal Hike, Kayaking & Lagoon Dipping in Costa Brava
Spain

Really great guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Jul 08, 2025
Hi Julie, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! 😊 I am so glad to hear that everything went smoothly and that you enjoyed the guides and experiences. The coastal tour with Jaime and the Costa Brava adventure with Stepan are truly special ones, and I am thrilled they stood out for you.
I am also happy to know how much you appreciated the knowledge and enthusiasm of all your guides, they will be delighted to hear your kind words.
It was a real pleasure helping you craft... Read more

Hi Julie,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! 😊

I am so glad to hear that everything went smoothly and that you enjoyed the guides and experiences. The coastal tour with Jaime and the Costa Brava adventure with Stepan are truly special ones, and I am thrilled they stood out for you.
I am also happy to know how much you appreciated the knowledge and enthusiasm of all your guides, they will be delighted to hear your kind words.

It was a real pleasure helping you craft this trip, and I hope the memories of your time in Spain will stay with you for years to come.

Warmest regards,
Helena

Trip to Portugal and Helena's wonderful trip planning!
Portugal | May 10 - May 17, 2025

L
lisa s.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2025
Helena really was amazing and I loved the trip she planned for my family and I in Portugal. We visited Porto, Lisbon and Algarve. Just a few comments: I would have liked a little more communication after I paid the trip fees. I didn't realize I was supposed to download a travel app (which I wasn't able to do while I was in Europe for some reason), but thankfully my husband was able to do so. I also didn't realize that I never received detailed itinerary (like times and places to meet for... Read more

Helena really was amazing and I loved the trip she planned for my family and I in Portugal. We visited Porto, Lisbon and Algarve. Just a few comments: I would have liked a little more communication after I paid the trip fees. I didn't realize I was supposed to download a travel app (which I wasn't able to do while I was in Europe for some reason), but thankfully my husband was able to do so. I also didn't realize that I never received detailed itinerary (like times and places to meet for excursions), so we actually missed the first excursion planned and I was a bit stressed out. This was a miscommunication and while I take some blame for not understanding the process as a first time Kim Kim user, it would have been nice to have more communication about this. Also, it would have been nice to know a 24/7 phone number for Kim Kim ahead of time in case of emergency...it took us some time to find numbers/emails while frantic about the itinerary when we first arrived after a long trip of travel to the destination.

One of the 3 hotels I stayed at needed significant renovations (which was agreed to by the staff) and the service was lacking for a 5 star hotel. Also, a second excursion was cancelled due to a prearranged bicycle race that shut down the roads (you would think that the excursion provider would have notified the travel agency ahead of time about this).

However, enough about the critiques...this trip was truly amazing and one that I will never forget in my lifetime and my family members agree. I would definitely use Kim Kim again for my next trip and I would definitely use Helena again for my future planning. We Loved the hotel in Lisbon and Porto and the excursions and transportation planned were awesome picks! I truly want to thank Helena for everything.

Hotel Reviews
Cascade Wellness Resort
Lagos

Not to the standards of a 5 star hotel. The 2 bedroom apartments needed renovation. The first room they booked us in was extremely dirty. Cigarette butts on the stairwell from the patio going to the roof top. Stains on the carpet and the chairs and couch. The entire apartment needed updating (which staff admitted to). Location was decent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Near amazing water views and walking paths (not beaches or direct access to the water though)
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms
Pestana Porto - A Brasileira
Porto

Great location. Wonderful hotel. I would stay here again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pousada de Lisboa, Praça do Comércio - Monument Hotel
Lisbon

Amazing hotel. Amazing breakfast. Great steakhouse (Rib). Great location. Wonderful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Car was a little small for our group so we were cramped
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Portugal

It was really great as it followed the Tram 28 destinations...but I do feel like we missed quite a bit of the city. Could have been longer and cover more areas.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Jun 05, 2025
Hi Lisa, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your recent trip to Portugal. I am delighted that your trip to Portugal was amazing and that you enjoyed everything. It is wonderful to know that you would consider working with me and kimkim again. I want to sincerely apologize for any confusion or stress caused by the miscommunication regarding the travel app, detailed itinerary, and emergency contact numbers. I will ensure clearer communication for future... Read more

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your recent trip to Portugal.

I am delighted that your trip to Portugal was amazing and that you enjoyed everything. It is wonderful to know that you would consider working with me and kimkim again.

I want to sincerely apologize for any confusion or stress caused by the miscommunication regarding the travel app, detailed itinerary, and emergency contact numbers. I will ensure clearer communication for future travelers. I also appreciate your feedback on the Lagos hotel and the canceled excursion, and I will address these concerns with our partners.

Your insights are invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunity to plan your trip. I hope to assist you with another unforgettable adventure in the future.

Warm regards, 🌞
Helena Fernández

This was a very well planned and executed tri...
Spain | Apr 12 - Apr 19, 2025

Ritu
Ritu T.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 23, 2025
This was a very well planned and executed trip by Helena/Kimkim! Thank you!,
Both hotels (particularly Mercer in Barcelona) were excellent.
Guides particularly Farhan and Danny were SUPERB!
Danny( Barcelona walking tour guide)in particular was among the best we have ever had.Very Knowledgable, interesting, friendly and patient.
All pick ups and drop offs were seamless. Thank you for a WONDERFUL trip!
Read more

This was a very well planned and executed trip by Helena/Kimkim! Thank you!,
Both hotels (particularly Mercer in Barcelona) were excellent.
Guides particularly Farhan and Danny were SUPERB!
Danny( Barcelona walking tour guide)in particular was among the best we have ever had.Very Knowledgable, interesting, friendly and patient.
All pick ups and drop offs were seamless. Thank you for a WONDERFUL trip!

Hotel Review
Mercer Hotel Barcelona
Barcelona

Great location, superb ambience, fantastic breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Flamenco Experience
Flamenco Experience
Spain

Shabby venue, performance was unexciting and did not feel authentic. No introduction or explanation of performance given..

Quality of Experience
Private Visit of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia
Private Visit of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona

Amazing experience with guide Danny! He was so well informed, witty and made the history very interesting.he kept the tour engaging from start to finish. He made La Sagrada Familia come alive. Highly recommend!,

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Guided Visit of Seville
Private Guided Visit of Seville
Seville

Had a wonderful experience with our guide,Ferran. Had great insights and answered all our questions and kept tour engaging.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Apr 23, 2025
Hi Ritu, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trip and that the hotels and guides exceeded your expectations. I will be sure to share your kind words with Dani and Ferrán—they will be happy to know they made such a lasting impression. I also appreciate your feedback about the flamenco experience. I will follow up with our local partners to ensure this activity better aligns with expectation in the future. It is wonderful to hear that... Read more

Hi Ritu,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trip and that the hotels and guides exceeded your expectations. I will be sure to share your kind words with Dani and Ferrán—they will be happy to know they made such a lasting impression.

I also appreciate your feedback about the flamenco experience. I will follow up with our local partners to ensure this activity better aligns with expectation in the future.

It is wonderful to hear that the seamless organization, from pickups to the itinerary, contributed to a memorable experience. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey!

I look forward to helping you plan your next adventure when the time comes. More of Spain, or Portugal, Italy, and Morocco, there are plenty of adventures ahead!😉

Warmest regards,
Helena - Espíritu Travel

All the local guides were amazing - excited t...
Spain | Mar 23 - Apr 8, 2025

M
M J.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 14, 2025
All the local guides were amazing - excited to speak about their city and history. The hotels were good choices as well. We were not prepared for the congestion in parking in four cities and wonder if travelling by train or bus would have been a better option for us. We had trouble getting taxis at the horse show and flamenco show and wondered if there was a way you could have addressed this. Are shows offered in the day or could we have booked a taxi in advance? We didn't have time -... Read more

All the local guides were amazing - excited to speak about their city and history.

The hotels were good choices as well.

We were not prepared for the congestion in parking in four cities and wonder if travelling by train or bus would have been a better option for us.

We had trouble getting taxis at the horse show and flamenco show and wondered if there was a way you could have addressed this. Are shows offered in the day or could we have booked a taxi in advance?

We didn't have time - one week only - to go over the whole itinerary and prepare for the trip. This should be sent at least a month ahead.

Activity Reviews
Private Guided Visit of Córdoba
Private Guided Visit of Córdoba
Spain

Great guide - interesting and knowledgable.

Flamenco Show in a Sacromonte Cave
Flamenco Show in a Sacromonte Cave
Granada

Excellent. Would have liked to learn more about the history of flamenco and how it is part of Spanish culture.

Guided Visit of  Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
Guided Visit of Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
Spain

Great guide and tour

Ronda Wine Experience
Ronda Wine Experience
Spain

Mostly was a promo for this brand of wine. Shorter than expected and of course, nothing was happening as we were out of wine production season.

Quality of Experience
Seville Culinary Experience
Seville Culinary Experience
Seville

This was excellent. A fun group and great guide.

Quality of Experience
Food
Visit an Andalusian Olive Oil Estate
Visit an Andalusian Olive Oil Estate
Spain

We thought we would see production underway but nothing was working or happening.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Guided Visit of Seville
Private Guided Visit of Seville
Seville

very interested talk and tour

Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Apr 23, 2025
Hi Mary, Thank you for sharing your feedback! I am so glad you enjoyed the local guides and found the hotels to be well-chosen. It is wonderful to hear that experiences like the culinary tour and flamenco show stood out. I appreciate your comments about transportation and timing. Parking and taxi availability can be challenging, and I’ll work to address these concerns in future planning, including exploring pre-arranged options. While the overall itinerary was shared earlier, I understand... Read more

Hi Mary,

Thank you for sharing your feedback! I am so glad you enjoyed the local guides and found the hotels to be well-chosen. It is wonderful to hear that experiences like the culinary tour and flamenco show stood out.

I appreciate your comments about transportation and timing. Parking and taxi availability can be challenging, and I’ll work to address these concerns in future planning, including exploring pre-arranged options. While the overall itinerary was shared earlier, I understand how having detailed timings and directions further in advance would have helped, and I’ll ensure this is improved.

Thank you again for your thoughtful insights—they’ll guide us in refining future trips.
I would be delighted to help plan another adventure for you, in Portugal, Italy, or Morocco, or other areas of Spain.

Warmest regards, 😊
Helena

Great combination of guided tours and free time to explore
Spain | Mar 23 - Apr 3, 2025

Dan
Dan C.
Culver City, CA | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2025
We had a great time visiting Barcelona and the Canary Islands. We had a long list of points of interest in each location and our coordinator Helena did a great job helping us consolidate and organize everything into a few guided tours while still including enough free time for us to rest and explore on our own. Our itinerary included multiple walking tours and a cooking class in Barcelona, walking, trike, and ATV tours in Tenerife, and two full days of private tours in Lanzarote. It was a big... Read more

We had a great time visiting Barcelona and the Canary Islands. We had a long list of points of interest in each location and our coordinator Helena did a great job helping us consolidate and organize everything into a few guided tours while still including enough free time for us to rest and explore on our own. Our itinerary included multiple walking tours and a cooking class in Barcelona, walking, trike, and ATV tours in Tenerife, and two full days of private tours in Lanzarote. It was a big help to have all of our hotels coordinated ahead of time and when there was any questions during the trip the local team with Espiritu Travel was quick to respond by text. This is our second trip booked through Kimkim, but the first time we've used the Trip Planner app which was a nice addition to centralize our itinerary and communication with the team.

One thing that could have been improved was communication around transportation. There were a couple of transfers that were not scheduled ahead of time and we had to figure out for ourselves which wasn't made clear in our itinerary (one pickup from the airport and pickup/drop-off for the ATV tour which was available through the company but hadn't been booked). A couple of times we had to ask for clarification or details for the next day's activities even though the itinerary said these details would be updated ~24hrs before the event. We understand the details are sometimes in flux until the last minute, but this was a source of stress a few times throughout the trip.

Two out of three of our hotels were very nice, but we found one of them (in Tenerife) to be poor quality and not to our liking. We went with the initial recommendations, but we now know for next time to be more specific in what we're looking for in a hotel booking.

As with all travel, there were a few hiccups such as transportation and changes in schedule due to cancellations, but we really appreciate the work Kimkim puts into planning on our behalf. We have and will continue to recommend Kimkim to anyone planning an international trip.

Hotel Reviews
Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort
Yaiza

We enjoyed our stay here, but it wasn't outstanding. The room was nicely decorated and featured a private balcony with a nice view, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Only downside was that we would have preferred a king size bed instead of 2 twins pushed together, and the pillows were lumpy and uncomfortable. A light fixture in our room had loose wiring but maintenance was quick to repair it when we asked. The food at the breakfast buffet was ok and we found some great local cuisine within walking distance of the hotel. The hotel does offer a bus to and from the nearby Marina area but the times were not convenient so we took taxis to and from which was easy enough to manage. The hot tub was barely heated so we weren't able to use it and we didn't spend any time in the pool, but we did make use of the rooftop mini-golf course which was fun. We tried to use the provided air hockey tables in the game area but they were both broken and ate our coins.

Authenticity & Character
Rooms had good lighting and decor and the private balcony was nice.
Location
Really nice views and some small shops and restaurants in walking distance, but we would have like to be a little closer to the marina area.
Staff
Staff was generally friendly and helpful including when we had maintenance requests.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Would have preferred a king bed instead of twins and the pillows were uncomfortable. Hot tub wasn't hot!
H10 Costa Adeje Palace
Adeje

We did not like this hotel at all. The average age of the other guests skewed much older than us, so we were perhaps not the intended demographic for what this hotel offers. The rooms were sparsely decorated and didn't feel welcoming. The pillows in the room were lumpy and uncomfortable. The thermostat was so old and worn that the markings on it were not visible and we had to set the temperature by trial and error. The Wi-Fi service was so slow that we just turned it off and used data on our phones. The hot tub was barely heated and access to it was closed at 6pm, severely limiting its usefulness when we were out exploring during the day. With the exception of one very friendly and helpful woman at the concierge desk, the staff didn't seem particularly welcoming. We had booked the breakfast-only option and we got the impression that we were not treated as well as the all-inclusive or higher tier guests. The hotel seemed to upcharge for everything including pool towels, use of the in-room safe, and they offered to sell us water when we inquired about filling our water bottles. There was no drinking water provided anywhere in the hotel except for a small machine in the gym which had a sign specifically prohibiting the filling of water bottles! The breakfast buffet featured an overwhelming amount of choices for food - and everything we tried was mediocre at best. Many were outright poor. There were some restaurants nearby but to find any local cuisine or food not exclusively geared towards tourists required a cab ride or a long walk. The one thing we did enjoy at this hotel was the entertainment. In the evenings they had shows in the bar area where we saw 2 very good acro / circus / dance performances and one mediocre magic act. Those were definitely the highlight of our stay. If you don't care about location, comfort, or food any your goal is only to lay in the sun until you are burned to a crisp, this hotel may be for you. Otherwise, we would not recommend it.

Authenticity & Character
Decor was sparse and uninviting, lacking in any particular character.
Location
There was not much within walking distance from the hotel and we were further from the city and other attractions than we would have liked. All the food in the immediate vicinity was too touristy and not to our liking.
Staff
Staff was not particularly helpful with the exception of one woman at the concierge desk who helped us book tickets for Siam Park. We ate at one of the restaurants one night and felt like we were inconveniencing the staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pillows were lumpy and uncomfortable. Wi-Fi was so slow it was unusable. Hot tub wasn't hot! Not great for relaxing.
Casa Bonay
Barcelona

Great location, very close to public transit and easy to get around. Our room was comfortable and the included breakfast in the hotel lounge was excellent. Bottled water was provided in the room and service was prompt when we requested anything. Our only issue was that we had difficulty setting the water temperature in the shower. Some days it was difficult to get the water hot enough or the hot water seemed to run out after one shower, but other days it was ok.

Authenticity & Character
The vibe of the room, lounge, and attached restaurant all felt authentic to the area and it was nice to open the curtains to people watch along the street.
Location
Less than 5 min walk to metro and bus stops. Super easy to access.
Staff
Staff was courteous and responsive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was comfortable and clean and nice robes were provided. Our only issue was adequate hot water in the shower.
Activity Reviews
Boquería Market Visit & Cooking Class
Boquería Market Visit & Cooking Class
Barcelona

Wonderful experience. We met up with the group (7 people total) and our chef took us on a walking tour of the market just up the street. After exploring the market a bit and learning about common Spanish ingredients, we returned to the kitchen for our class. Each participant had the option to cook or just to observe. I decided to cook while my wife took photos. As a group, we made Spanish omelets, pan tomate, crema catalana, and 2 different paellas (one seafood and one veggie). Our chef was funny, engaging, and informative. He was also great at managing everyone's activities, keeping everyone on track with their various tasks and keeping the 2 younger kids in the group engaged the whole time. Afterwards we sat down to enjoy our meal! Definitely recommend this experience.

Quality of Experience
A comfortable environment, easy pace, and great food. We learned a lot and got to enjoy a nice meal.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our chef was very funny, engaging, and great with the young kids in our group.
Excursion to East and North Lanzarote Highlights
Excursion to East and North Lanzarote Highlights
Lanzarote

Fantastic tour. Our guide Nick and driver Ramon took us through the best spots around the north of the island. We visited Cueva de los Verdes - a lava tube cave that is beautifully illuminated and features a concert hall with cool acoustics, Jameos del Agua - an architectural intervention by local artist César Manrique that is built into another area of lava tube caves, and the César Manrique Foundation which is located in the artist's former home built into an old lava flow and uses natural voids in the rock to create a network of rooms. We also stopped in the town of Haría where we had an amazing lunch at Michelin star restaurant Tacande. Our guide Nick was very informative and we learned a lot about the geology of the island and the works of César Manrique. He would tell us about the locations we passed and the attractions we were going to see while on the road, then we were self-guided through each attraction where we were encouraged to spend as much time as we liked. We appreciated the atmosphere and never felt rushed, despite our full itinerary. Cueva de los Verdes is the only attraction which requires a timed entrance so we did that first to ensure we would arrive on time.

Quality of Experience
Amazing locations, great food, and we learned a lot about César Manrique.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide Nick was excellent we really appreciated the relaxed pace of the tour. Shout out to our driver Ramon for taking us around all day.
Transport
We had a small tour bus which felt a little overkill since there were only 2 of us, but Nick used a microphone system so we could hear him very well during the ride, which was a nice addition.
Timanfaya and West Highlights Excursion
Timanfaya and West Highlights Excursion
Lanzarote

We spent about half a day with our guide Daniel. He picked us up from our hotel and we visited Timanfaya national park where we took a tour bus ride through the volcanic landscape. The views were stunning, although it was a bit difficult to take photos through the bus windows and there is no place to stop on the narrow road. Next we stopped to go on a short camel ride (€11 per person). The ride was quick but well worth it for a fun experience and some amazing photos. Then we visited Los Hervideros, a beautiful area of the coast where crashing waves have carved interesting formations into the volcanic rock. Next stop was El Golfo, a green tinted lake in an isolated volcanic crater. We stopped at a bodega where we learned about how wine is cultivated in the volcanic soil with unique formations that take advantage of condensation in the air for irrigation, then we stopped at Monumento al Campesino, a beautiful compound and monument to farmers designed by César Manrique, the island's most famous architect and artist. Finally we got some lunch at a local restaurant and headed back to the hotel. We covered a lot of ground and got to see and learn a ton in a short time. Our guide Daniel was very knowledgeable and fun to talk to throughout the day. He had some great insights into how to navigate the popular tourist spots - arranging the order of our activities to avoid crowds and making sure we saw all the highlights. It was nice to have a private tour and it was efficient to have a car to get between destinations.

Quality of Experience
Great tour - we covered everything we wanted to see and more! We felt like we got a really good sense of the variety of landscapes on the island.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Daniel was entertaining, engaging, and had good insights into making the most of the tourist spots.
Transport
Having a private car was great to get us between destinations.
Discover Teide on a Quad
Discover Teide on a Quad
Tenerife

We had a blast riding quad bikes. After a brief tutorial our party rode up a winding road into the mountains. One guide led the way and another went on ahead to position himself to take photos at scenic turns. The quads were pretty easy to handle but we had to pause frequently to let car traffic pass on the 2 lane roads. We took a couple breaks to stretch and admire the scenery before entering the national park and reaching the volcanic crater. We took some photos at the top and then turned back. On the way back we pulled off the road into a dirt area to do a bit of off-roading, mostly to take photos, then headed back to the garage. Photos were available for €20. The photos weren't great and they just sent us every shot taken, no editing or filtering so we got everyone's photos together, but for €20 it was worth is to get a few memorable shots. Overall a good excursion - would recommend.

Quality of Experience
Fun to drive quad bikes and the scenery was beautiful. I'm glad we got to do a bit of road driving and bit of off-roading.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guides were friendly and good at directing the group and managing allowing other traffic to pass us on roads. We felt safe the entire time.
Guided Visit to the Iconic Auditorio de Tenerife
Guided Visit to the Iconic Auditorio de Tenerife
Spain

I'm a fan of the architect Santiago Calatrava and visiting this building was the main reason for our trip to Tenerife. We had a semi-private tour of the building (just 3 people) and got to spend a lot of time taking photographs. Our guide was friendly, spoke great English, and we learned some fun new facts about the building and its history. We also spent some time after the tour enjoying a drink and the view from the cafe. There are some areas around the rear plinth that were fenced off and not accessible to the public so unfortunately we didn't get to take photos from those area, but it was fun to get to see the full interior.

Quality of Experience
Great tour and fun to get to see the full interior and take photos.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very friendly and informative.
Guided Visit through the Historic Streets of Santa Cruz
Guided Visit through the Historic Streets of Santa Cruz
Spain

Our guide Laura was very knowledgeable about the unique history of the Canary Islands and Tenerife in particular. She shared a ton of history with us through a combination of stories, pictures she had prepared in a binder and videos on a tablet. She mostly stuck to her script, but we appreciated how prepared she was. The highlight was her demonstrations of traditional Canarian musical instruments and Silbo Gomero, the whistling language which she "spoke". We walked around a lot of the Santa Cruz area learning about history and then ended at the local market where she gave us a gift of some local snacks, recommended some foods to try and a local drink called a barraquito - a layered coffee and liqueur drink that quickly became our favorite. For the rest of our trip, we tried the barraquito at every establishment that offered one!

Quality of Experience
Very informative tour with a good mix of stories and visual aids. We learned a lot and got some good recommendations.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Laura was very skilled at relating history and giving context. Her demo of local instruments and whistling language was definitely the highlight.
Wine Tasting & Tapas Trike Tour
Wine Tasting & Tapas Trike Tour
Tenerife

This was a fun and unique excursion. We got to ride on the back seats of the trike on the highway and then a winding road up into the mountains where we made a few stops to learn about the area, see an aloe vera shop, and then visit a bodega to learn how grapes are grown for wine and ending with a wine and food tasting. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable and the trike was surprisingly comfy - although it does get cold when you get to higher altitude, plus the wind in your face, so dress warmly. The aloe vera shop was disappointing as there wasn't much information about how the plants are grown or harvested. It was much more of a captive sales pitch as we were the only ones there and our guide just sat by the side while the proprietor gave us way too much detail about all the products for sale and how aloe vera is a magic solution for all your ailments. We weren't interested in buying anything and would have been more interested in learning about how aloe is harvested. The bodega, on the other hand, was a fun experience. We're not big wine drinkers but it was interesting to see how the vineyards are cultivated in a place that doesn't get much rain. We got to try some hearty local cuisine including a chickpea stew and Canarian potatoes with the local mojo sauces. We did taste a few wines and knowing our preferences, our guide selected one sun-dried and fermented grape drink that we really liked. Overall a fun experience, but we would have skipped the aloe shop portion.

Quality of Experience
The trike ride and the bodega were fun but the aloe shop was too much of a high pressure sales pitch
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was fun and knowledgeable and made some good recommendations
Transport
The trike is what makes this tour worth it. It's very fun to sit in a comfortable but exposed position on the road and get to really see the landscape clearly.
Tapas Walk in Barcelona
Tapas Walk in Barcelona
Barcelona

We had a good time on this tour. Our guide was energetic and enthusiastic which set a good tone for the group. The variety of food was great and we learned some interesting history around the traditions of tapas culture. The length of the tour was good we definitely felt full by the end. We got to sample various drinks and found that we liked red vermouth, although not every stop on the tour offered it. Some stops had only wine or beer and we're not wine drinkers so it would have been nice to have more options.

Private Visit of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia
Private Visit of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona

We had a private tour for my wife any myself. Our guide Miguel was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable about the city and told stories in fun and engaging ways. In some tours we've done it feels like the guide is just running through their script, but with Miguel it felt much more like a conversation. He was very attentive to what we were interested in and catered the tour specifically what we wanted to cover. This was not my first time visiting some of the attractions, but I definitely learned new things at every stop. There was a good amount of walking, but the pace was comfortable and the length of the tour seemed just right. Highly recommend this tour!

Quality of Experience
The itinerary was adjusted specifically for our interests so we got to see everything we wanted to. Having a private guide and getting to skip the lines made everything very smooth.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Miguel was one of the best tour guides we've had. He was funny, engaging, and attentive to our interests.
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Apr 12, 2025
Hi Dan. Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful review of your trip to Barcelona and the Canary Islands, and for your kind words about my coordination and the responsiveness of the Espiritu Travel team! I’m so happy to hear you had a great time and that the mix of guided tours and free time suited your travel style. I appreciate your honest feedback regarding transportation details and hotel preferences. It is always my goal to make every aspect of a trip seamless and comfortable,... Read more

Hi Dan.

Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful review of your trip to Barcelona and the Canary Islands, and for your kind words about my coordination and the responsiveness of the Espiritu Travel team!

I’m so happy to hear you had a great time and that the mix of guided tours and free time suited your travel style.

I appreciate your honest feedback regarding transportation details and hotel preferences. It is always my goal to make every aspect of a trip seamless and comfortable, and I will use your insights to refine future planning.

I’d love the opportunity to plan another adventure for you, whether in other areas of Spain, or Portugal, Italy, or Morocco, and make it even more tailored to your needs.

Thank you again for your kind recommendation, and I hope to work with you on your next journey!

Warmest regards,
Helena

This was the worst trip I've taken with KimKim
Spain | Mar 22 - Mar 29, 2025

Jen
Jen S.
Machesney Park, IL | Reviewed on Apr 01, 2025
This was the worst trip I've taken with KimKim. The activities felt impersonal, one of the hotels canceled on us, I had to point out the flight information was wrong so our driver was going to pick us up late for our flight home. This trip has made me question whether I will use KimKim in the future. Read more

This was the worst trip I've taken with KimKim. The activities felt impersonal, one of the hotels canceled on us, I had to point out the flight information was wrong so our driver was going to pick us up late for our flight home. This trip has made me question whether I will use KimKim in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Joya del Casco Boutique Hotel
Seville

Wonderful facility. The staff was accommodating, the hotel was super cute, the location was close to everything. My favorite of the trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Palacio de Santa Inés
Granada

The hotel had lots of character. The views were amazing and location was perfect. But the photos didn't accurately portray the room we were in and the plumbing was about to rip from the wall. The staff was fabulous.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great location and views.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was clean. But the shower plumbing was about to rip out of the wall and the shower surround was coming off the tub.
Hotel Cortezo
Madrid

Very average accommodations. The location was noisy. The room had no character. The bed was VERY uncomfortable.

Authenticity & Character
There is no character.
Location
Central location but VERY noisy.
Staff
Not overly friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Traditional Andalusian Market Visit & Cooking Class
Traditional Andalusian Market Visit & Cooking Class
Seville

The market was really cool. The experience was a nice mix of education about the market, the ingredients we were going to use and the actual cooking. The hosts were very cool. But I didn't like the way we were set up in our groups. We ended up paired up with a family that monopolized the process.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Flamenco Show in a Sacromonte Cave
Flamenco Show in a Sacromonte Cave
Granada

Very cool experience. The dancers were very talented and the environment was super unique.

Quality of Experience
Guided Visit:  Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
Guided Visit: Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
Granada

Again I'm only rating our guide. Rocio was fabulous. I was EXTREMELY disappointed to learn however this was a free tour considering how much I paid KimKim/Espiritu to put together this trip.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Train Madrid to Toledo, Guided Visit of Toledo, Train Toledo to Madrid
Train Madrid to Toledo, Guided Visit of Toledo, Train Toledo to Madrid
Madrid

My rating is only based on our guide. He was lovely and very knowledgeable. He was so great even someone who was nearby asked how to book him :).

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wine & Tapas Experience
Wine & Tapas Experience
Madrid

Just an average food tour. The guide was lovely but I didn't like that we had to cram into most of the places. We only had a separate area for our group in one place. Everywhere else we went the guide had to compete with the crowd to talk to us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Apr 16, 2025
Hi Jen, I was surprised to read your comments since you gave excellent reviews for all the activities, except you felt the food tour did not meet your expectations. The food tour aims for participants to experience authentic tapas found at local, not touristy locations; these are often smaller bars and restaurants, so the space is limited. The guides do their best to create a comfortable and authentic experience. By mentioning your discomfort to the guide, he could have made adjustments to... Read more

Hi Jen,

I was surprised to read your comments since you gave excellent reviews for all the activities, except you felt the food tour did not meet your expectations. The food tour aims for participants to experience authentic tapas found at local, not touristy locations; these are often smaller bars and restaurants, so the space is limited. The guides do their best to create a comfortable and authentic experience. By mentioning your discomfort to the guide, he could have made adjustments to make you more comfortable.

There was an overbooking at the hotel, which was communicated before you arrived here in Spain. This is an unfortunate situation that was out of our control, and for this inconvenience, you were upgraded from a standard room at a 3-star hotel to a junior suite at a 4-star hotel.

The Hotel Cortezo in Madrid is a 3-start centrally located hotel. At times, the streets of the centrally located hotels can be noisy, especially during the weekends. We would have been more than happy to have helped with this situation if this had been communicated to us during your trip. We could have spoken to the hotel to switch you to another room or even to another hotel. During the trip, you were able to contact us directly via instant messaging or with a call.

Alhambra has free tours to visit it. However, these free tours can have upwards of 30 participants and often with less experienced guides. We don’t work with those types of tours. You had a professional and vetted guide dedicated exclusively to your group for a personalized experience, which I am pleased to hear that you appreciated.

Your change of flight was corrected in your itinerary prior to your arrival in-country, and your private transfer was provided without incident.

I strive for every trip to be a five-star and unforgettable experience. My sincerest apologies that your trip fell short. 😔

Warm regards,
Helena

Spain in the rain
Spain | Mar 9 - Mar 23, 2025

Christiane
Christiane H.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Mar 30, 2025
Overall the trip was extremely well organized. All the guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. Once or twice, in Cordoba and Madrid we felt a little rushed, as the guides seemed focused on making their next assignment. We had a wonderful time, in spite of the weather. All the hotels were great. Our favorite was the h10 in Sevilla. Read more

Overall the trip was extremely well organized. All the guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. Once or twice, in Cordoba and Madrid we felt a little rushed, as the guides seemed focused on making their next assignment. We had a wonderful time, in spite of the weather. All the hotels were great. Our favorite was the h10 in Sevilla.

Hotel Review
H10 Casa de la Plata
Sevilla

The H10 Casa de la Plata in Seville was my favorite among all the hotels we stayed at during the trip. The staff was exceptional, the location was perfect, and the room met all our expectations. While the breakfast wasn't the absolute best, it was still quite good, adding to the overall enjoyment of our stay.

Activity Reviews
Guided Visit of  Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
Guided Visit of Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
Spain

The guided visit of Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens was astonishing. The guide was excellent, bringing the rich history of the place to life and making the entire experience enjoyable and enlightening.

 Madrid of the Bourbons & Prado Museum Private Tour
Madrid of the Bourbons & Prado Museum Private Tour
Madrid

The Madrid of the Bourbons and Prado Museum private tour was a bit of a rushed experience for us. Our guide didn't give us time to fully appreciate or absorb each part, and due to a late train, our overall schedule was compressed. Unfortunately, this made the tour feel hurried.

Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Apr 09, 2025

Hi Christiane,

Thank you for sharing your experience and for your kind words about the trip's organization!
I’m so glad you had a wonderful time and enjoyed the knowledgeable and friendly guides, even with a bit of challenging weather.

Your feedback about the pacing in Cordoba and Madrid is invaluable, and I’ll make sure to take it into account for future planning.

If you’re considering another adventure—perhaps in other areas of Spain, or in Portugal, Italy, or Morocco—I’d love the opportunity to make it just as memorable.

Warm regards,
Helena

Saves me so much headache!
Spain | Feb 16 - Feb 23, 2025

V
V Y.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Feb 25, 2025
Booking a trip via a travel agent is something new to us as we’ve been the type who like to book flights and hotels only and keep the day flexible.
Boy was I glad I gave kimkim a try mainly because:
- it’s a bit last minute and I didn’t have a lot of time to do research
- we have a teenager son and it’s getting to a point where a successful trip means letting him bring a friend along (which tend to be super hard to coordinate a multi-family trip), or involving more local guides and...
Read more

Booking a trip via a travel agent is something new to us as we’ve been the type who like to book flights and hotels only and keep the day flexible.
Boy was I glad I gave kimkim a try mainly because:
- it’s a bit last minute and I didn’t have a lot of time to do research
- we have a teenager son and it’s getting to a point where a successful trip means letting him bring a friend along (which tend to be super hard to coordinate a multi-family trip), or involving more local guides and planned activities so I can delegate shepherding him along to the tour guides
- I was also hoping he can practice the Spanish he learned in school in a safe space 1:1 with a local guide on private tours.

- Helena and team took care of all the hotel and train bookings saving me a lot of hassle entering passport info and lining up train and hotel logistics
- Helena was able to recommend activities based on our interests and timing of arrival, as well as lead time for heading to train stations and airport which was super helpful (googlemap timings doesn’t take into account for time for getting lost/not knowing exactly where to turn/going through security etc)

Helena went through iterations of planning and also identified a bug in the system with pricing (I got a little suspicious when updating the itinerary didn’t change the price) and got everything resolved in a timely fashion.

We are super happy with the cooking class (the food was some of the best we has while in Spain! And the guide to the market took a lot of stress out which stall to pick to get our shopping done!)

Our next favorite was our Seville tour, our guide was superb exposing us not only to history and architecture, but also fun facts and hidden gems. She’s also a great listener and made helpful recommendations from dining to shopping.

I am so glad Helena recommended the Segovia tour (such a dreamy historical town!) and our tour guides was very knowledgeable.

Our Madrid local guide was awesome trying to speak a little Spanish slowly with my son, and gave us recommendations which areas he wouldn’t recommend for tourists and where to eat if we want the local experience.

It was also helpful the espiritu local agents checked in with us during the trip and was super responsive when we had questions, even on a Saturday!

Highly recommend if you want to pamper yourself saving time on research/comparing tour options and pricing, yet still want a tailored experience (instead of big group bus tours where you are just rushed along).

Hotel Review
7 Islas Hotel
Madrid

Location was perfect in a trendy area, yet still close to a lot of the tourist activities as well as museums and Retiro park. Staff was courteous and helpful, and breakfast variety was great. I took off one star mainly because of: 1) the hotel should really invest in renovating the bathrooms to include ventilation- otherwise the steam and smell is just permanently trapped which wasn’t pleasant 2) if you are staying on a Fri or Sat night the noise from nearby bars at night can be quite loud.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to everything and a few mins walk to Gran Via metro that lands us in chamartin or Atocha station for day trips without needing to connect to a different line.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Issue without bathroom vent per overall comment
Activity Review
Traditional Andalusian Market Visit & Cooking Class
Traditional Andalusian Market Visit & Cooking Class
Seville

Going around the Triana market for specialty stores and products was awesome! Very fun to learn about local foods and spices. Instructions for cooking class was clear and great pacing. Chef also kept things entertaining and very informative. And the best spinach with chickpeas dish and chicken paella I have tastes!

Quality of Experience
Food
Loved the chicken Paella and spinach chickpeas!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Apr 09, 2025
Hi Vicky,
Thank you so much for sharing your detailed feedback and for trusting me to plan your family’s adventure in Spain! It’s wonderful to hear that the local experiences worked so well for you and your son. I’m especially glad he had opportunities to practice Spanish 🤩.
I am so happy to know that you enjoyed the cooking class, Seville tour, and Segovia visit, it is my goal that the hotel locations and guides added value to your trip, making everything feel seamless and enjoyable. When... Read more

Hi Vicky,
Thank you so much for sharing your detailed feedback and for trusting me to plan your family’s adventure in Spain! It’s wonderful to hear that the local experiences worked so well for you and your son. I’m especially glad he had opportunities to practice Spanish 🤩.

I am so happy to know that you enjoyed the cooking class, Seville tour, and Segovia visit, it is my goal that the hotel locations and guides added value to your trip, making everything feel seamless and enjoyable.

When you are ready for another tailored adventure—whether in Spain, Portugal, Italy, or Morocco—I wouldd love to work with you again.

Until then, I hope your family continues to share amazing travel memories together! 😍

Warmest regards,
Helena