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active 3 days ago

James Monro

As great as they are, there is so much more to Spain than paella, sangría and beachside resorts!! So often the stereotypical images of a country remain just at that and bear little resemblance to everyday life for locals. It didn't take me long to realise this on arrival in Andalucia, some 11 years ago and I fell for the most authentic version of Spain with its focus on quality of life & personal bonds, its stunning landscapes and its pride in its own traditions and culture.

Travel, as a means of recreation or even as a hobby has so much we can learn from, whatever our travel 'style' is and however we prefer to 'get out there and explore'. It should clearly never just be a matter of ticking boxes and I believe that the most worthwhile experiences are those with which we feel we've seen, done or experienced something novel, eye-opening and authentic. This is where I hope to lend a helping hand!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"We specialise in custom making complete itineraries including accommodation and private transport for couples, families and small groups around Spain. We incorporate private tours and excursions with a guide for you to get the absolute most out of your visit, however long it may be. Tell us what you're interested in and we'll do our best to organise it, be it a flamenco jamming session or a culinary tour of the White Villages! "

How did you get involved in travel?

"While growing up in the UK, I was lucky enough to visit a number of European countries and the US from a young age and so I always knew that once I had the chance, I would jump at the chance of broadening my horizons. And this I did before, during and after studying my degree in Spanish & Geography at Leeds University, and thereby develop my enthusiasm for thinking up and planning trips to a whole range of destinations.

This, combined with the local knowledge of southern Spain gained from living and working here means that creating travel itineraries for other visitors was a natural progression and a real pleasure. I truly believe that Spain, and Andalucía in particular have so much to offer as a destination and I love the challenge of creating the ideal trip for each & every visitor."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One moment stands out among the many while travelling with friends and living in Argentina for 6 months before going to University. Thanks to some contacts, we were never short of ideas or recommendations. It was while staying with local friends (of friends!) in a small mountain village in the foothills of the Andes. We were warmly taken into their home and shown the authentic (and very active!) local life in a beautiful natural setting including how to prepare the real Asado barbecue and play the complex card game of Truco. More than anything, it was ideal for that particular moment for its authenticity and sense of discovery and has left lasting memories for these same reasons."

Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for James

Cook and Taste cooking school in Barcelona wa...
Spain | May 21 - Jun 1, 2023

Chris
Chris B.
San Leandro, CA | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2023
Cook and Taste cooking school in Barcelona was the best activity we've done as a family since the kids went off to college! Read more

Cook and Taste cooking school in Barcelona was the best activity we've done as a family since the kids went off to college!

Hotel Review
Sant Roc
Calella de Palafrugell

Views and terrace are terrific. Hotel staff are friendly and comfortable. Fixtures and finished need a refresh.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Retiro Park by eBike - Small Group Tour
Retiro Park by eBike - Small Group Tour
Madrid

This was a fun trip but did involve 90 minutes of ebiking on Madrid city streets which is a bit of an adventure. Be clear about that in the activity description.

Day Trip to the Costa Brava & Coastal Hike
Day Trip to the Costa Brava & Coastal Hike
Spain

Hiking guide Dani was super patient and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Cooking Class of Spanish Cuisine
A Cooking Class of Spanish Cuisine
Barcelona

Wow!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Jun 04, 2023

Hi Chris,
Great to hear you enjoyed the cooking and hiking especially, and so thanks for your comments! We'll be sure to update the info for this specific ebike activity. Thanks and best, James

Great Family Vacation
Spain | May 21 - Jun 1, 2023

Julie
Julie B.
Oakland, CA | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2023
Just returned from our first time to Spain (Barcelona, Costa Brava, Girona, and Madrid) and had a wonderful time with KimKim’s and our local agents James Monroe’s and Angela’s assistance. Given our limited time in Spain, I think we were able to see the ‘must-sees’ but would like to return and visit other regions as well. All of our guides - Aida in Barcelona, our cooking instructor Rosa from Cook & Taste, our hiking guide Danny and Sophia in Madrid, were top notch in their field, as well as... Read more

Just returned from our first time to Spain (Barcelona, Costa Brava, Girona, and Madrid) and had a wonderful time with KimKim’s and our local agents James Monroe’s and Angela’s assistance. Given our limited time in Spain, I think we were able to see the ‘must-sees’ but would like to return and visit other regions as well. All of our guides - Aida in Barcelona, our cooking instructor Rosa from Cook & Taste, our hiking guide Danny and Sophia in Madrid, were top notch in their field, as well as friendly and accommodating, ground transportation arrangements went as well as could be expected and our accommodations fit our needs well. Overall, we had a great family vacation!

Hotel Review
Sant Roc
Calella de Palafrugell

Sant Roc is situated right on the water so the location and views were magnificent. The hotel rooms could use a little updating but their breakfasts were outstanding. Staff were friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Water views
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Retiro Park by eBike - Small Group Tour
Retiro Park by eBike - Small Group Tour
Madrid

We met our e-bike guide at the designated location, picked up our bikes and helmets. We rode through city streets, approximately 1/2 mile, dodging vehicles, pedestrians, and segways. Once inside Retiro Park, the ride is more relaxing and our guide led us to numerous sites within the park. After a tour of the major park sites we rode through city streets again, to the old part of Madrid and the Royal Palace. Luckily nobody fell off their bike or hit a pedestrian,

Quality of Experience
Meet at the park and avoid the streets.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Tour of Madrid & the Royal Palace
Private Tour of Madrid & the Royal Palace
Madrid

Our tour guide Sophia was very knowledgeable of the palace, the furnishings, past and present practices of Spain’s parliament and the royal family. I don’t think there was one question she couldn’t answer!

Quality of Experience
Informative tour guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half Day Kayak Excursion on the Costa Brava
Half Day Kayak Excursion on the Costa Brava
Spain

Roger and his partner were great instructors. We kayaked farther than I had imagined and stopped in some nice coves. Scenery was beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly guys, great at what they do and made our kayaking trip interesting. With regards to our transportation from the kayak back to hotel there was a misunderstanding with the taxi driver. We were under the assumption the person taking us to the kayak rental facility was also the one picking us up but another driver came and we both sat at the meeting spot staring at each other before realizing we he was our taxi and we were his clients. Taxi driver was not happy.
Transport
Day Trip to the Costa Brava & Coastal Hike
Day Trip to the Costa Brava & Coastal Hike
Spain

A little rough terrain for older folks like me but our guide was understanding and didn’t rush our hike.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Nothing but after a 5 mile hike, it was nice to get a ride.
A Cooking Class of Spanish Cuisine
A Cooking Class of Spanish Cuisine
Barcelona

We loved Rosa, our instructor. It was great to go to the market with Rosa, who helped us develop a menu, shop for the ingredients and cook. As a family experience, we all participated and enjoyed this 1/2 excursion.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Walk of the Gothic Quarter with Tapas Dinner
Guided Walk of the Gothic Quarter with Tapas Dinner
Barcelona

Aida was our guide and she was knowledgeable and friendly. Answered all of our questions and more.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Tour of Park Güell & Sagrada Família
Private Tour of Park Güell & Sagrada Família
Barcelona

A lot of visitors so it was difficult to really experience LSF fully but our guide Aida was very knowledgeable about the history of Gaudi and the structure.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
We loved Aida!
Transport
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Jun 04, 2023

Hi Julie,
Many thanks for the detailed and complete comments about your trip. I'm so pleased it was an enriching experience overall and that you will be returning to explore more of the country, at some point. We take note of the moments where it could have run a little more smoothely and so many thanks for this. It was a pleasure to have you travelling with us at long last, after the Covid postponement!! Saludos, James

Amazing Road Trip in Portugal
Portugal | Mar 17 - Apr 2, 2023

T
Tina G.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2023
The itinerary that James put together for us did not disappoint. From Lisbon to Sintra to Cascais, to Evora, to Coimbra, to Douro Valley and finally to Porto. All accommodations were unique and above par, absolutely no complaints. I can't say enough great things about the tours and the guides that were booked. All of the guides were professional, knowledgeable and fun! The drivers were all exceptional. Overall, the trip was amazing. Thanks, KimKim! Read more

The itinerary that James put together for us did not disappoint. From Lisbon to Sintra to Cascais, to Evora, to Coimbra, to Douro Valley and finally to Porto. All accommodations were unique and above par, absolutely no complaints. I can't say enough great things about the tours and the guides that were booked. All of the guides were professional, knowledgeable and fun! The drivers were all exceptional. Overall, the trip was amazing. Thanks, KimKim!

Activity Review
Explore Lisbon with a Private Walking Tour
Explore Lisbon with a Private Walking Tour
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Apr 18, 2023

Hi there Tina, Wonderful to hear this and thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure to plan it all out with you and especially such a long time in advance, which gave us plenty of time to fit all together nicely. We're thrilled you enjoyed seeing some classic and 'other' parts of Portugal! Un abrazo, James

Amazing, Carefree and Worry Free! and WOW.
Portugal | Mar 17 - Apr 2, 2023

Jim
Jim S.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 04, 2023
Our 16 day trip through Portugal was fantastic. This could take some time as everything was as close to perfect as you could expect. We started in Lisbon and finished in Porto. Every detail was considered and taken care of by the KimKim team. James laid out a great itinerary, Chaima and Sam handled things when we arrived. From early check-in to prearrange transportation, all was perfect. Tour guides were always on time, prepared and well informed and all provided amazing recommendations... Read more

Our 16 day trip through Portugal was fantastic. This could take some time as everything was as close to perfect as you could expect. We started in Lisbon and finished in Porto. Every detail was considered and taken care of by the KimKim team. James laid out a great itinerary, Chaima and Sam handled things when we arrived. From early check-in to prearrange transportation, all was perfect. Tour guides were always on time, prepared and well informed and all provided amazing recommendations throughout or tours. Every arranged pick up was perfect. Ana Filippa was amazing through the walking tour of Lisbon and was very helpful with recommendations for our other stops through Portugal. She answered every question and was able to anticipate most. Filipe was full of information throughout our food & wine tour in Lisbon. He also had many recommendations for the rest of our trip. He was as pleasant and interesting a person as you would want to meet. Next, Joao took us on our day trip to Sintra and then on to Cascais where we spent 2 nights. What a beautiful place. Again, all the information you would expect and more. We did make him run a little as we left our hotel a little early and just hopped into our ride without checking if the driver was our actual guide. He quickly caught his breath and was perfect for our day trip. We then spent 2 glorious nights in Evora and had a winery tour in Alentejo region which was fantastic. Highly recommend the winery tour with the private, home cooked lunch at the winery. Just amazing food and wine. Then it was off to Coimbra for 3 wonderful nights. Sara took us out for our walking tour of Coimbra - a great university town with a tremendous history. As a previous student at the university, she had all the insider information on the area along with some wonderful stories about attending a school that was founded in 1290. She also recommended a wonderful place to listen to Fado music. It was amazing. We then headed to the Douro Valley for 2 glorious nights at Quinta da Corte Estate winery. Breathless views, amazing wine and port, great food and one hang on to the holy sh*t handle drive on some steep and narrow roads to get there. First time can be intimidating but it gets better the more you drive around. From the moment we arrived to the when we left, we were made to feel at home. Our guide through the Douro Valley was Francisco. Again, full of knowledge and interesting facts about the region. Francisco was also helpful with suggestions for us as we would be heading to Porto next. We had Miguel as our walking tour guide and our bike tour. He was amazing. Especially through the rain filled bike tour. We were all drenched and still, Miguel made it wonderful. From the market to the fish lunch. All things considered, this was one of the best vacations we have taken. Thanks to All who helped make this happen.

Hotel Reviews
Sapientia Boutique Hotel
Coimbra

It is located downtown. Walking distance to everything.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa
Evora

It is an old Convent. Filled with history and a beautiful church.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pestana Cidadela Cascais
Cascais

It is inside some very high walls. Quiet and comfortable. Breakfast is awesome.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
Lisbon

Perfect location. Clean and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Everything in Lisbon is a short taxi ride or walk from this location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Take a Bike Tour of Porto & Visit the Fishing Village of Afurada
Take a Bike Tour of Porto & Visit the Fishing Village of Afurada
Porto
Quality of Experience
Even in the pouring rain this was Amazing!
Food
The food was great. The staff even let us borrow some umbrellas so we could walk to the market. Above and Beyond.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Take a Tuk-Tuk Tour to Spectacular Lookout Points
Take a Tuk-Tuk Tour to Spectacular Lookout Points
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Enjoy a Private Walking Tour of Porto
Enjoy a Private Walking Tour of Porto
Porto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Trip in the Douro Valley - Wine Tour & River Cruise
Day Trip in the Douro Valley - Wine Tour & River Cruise
Douro Valley
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wander the Historical Streets of Coimbra with a Private Walking Tour
Wander the Historical Streets of Coimbra with a Private Walking Tour
Coimbra
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Tour of Evora
Private Tour of Evora
Évora
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Missed many things as sites were closed or closing as we arrived.
Alentejo Vineyard Visit with Traditional Lunch
Alentejo Vineyard Visit with Traditional Lunch
Évora
Quality of Experience
Food
Home cooked meal. It was great.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Sintra & Finishing in Cascais
Day Trip to Sintra & Finishing in Cascais
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Food & Wine Tour of Lisbon
Private Food & Wine Tour of Lisbon
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Explore Lisbon with a Private Walking Tour
Explore Lisbon with a Private Walking Tour
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Apr 04, 2023

Hi Jim, many thanks for taking the time to write and for your kind words. It was a real pleasure to organise it with you and Tina and of course to host you while travelling. We're thrilled you had such a wonderful trip and it's comments like this that really make our day! It's really useful to hear which parts you enjoyed most and we'll be sure to pass on your comments. All the best from the Tailormade team!

Great trip to central /northern Portugal!
Portugal | Mar 18 - Mar 26, 2023

laurie
laurie w.
Westfield, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
This was a wonderful trip and James and his team made the planning and execution seamless. We loved the hotels they chose, especially Casa Balthazar in Lisbon - very intimate, beautiful and charming hotel with a spacious room, helpful staff and in a great neighborhood. We loved Lisbon and Porto. The walking tour in Lisbon was really fun and informative, as was the bike ride there but a little scary (for me) with so many people walking, riding scooters, some cars etc. on the bike path. It was... Read more

This was a wonderful trip and James and his team made the planning and execution seamless. We loved the hotels they chose, especially Casa Balthazar in Lisbon - very intimate, beautiful and charming hotel with a spacious room, helpful staff and in a great neighborhood. We loved Lisbon and Porto. The walking tour in Lisbon was really fun and informative, as was the bike ride there but a little scary (for me) with so many people walking, riding scooters, some cars etc. on the bike path. It was hard to navigate. It was not a big deal but I just hadn't anticipated that from the description. But seeing all the people was also quite fun and it was a very scenic ride.
Possibly my favorite place was Coimbra, the old and very picturesque university town. I liked seeing a smaller city that was very walkable, historic and interesting. I would have liked to spend more time there and skipped Aveiro. This was not a fault of Kimkim; I could have done more research about it beforehand. Our guide for a bike ride in Porto, Jose, was very informative, patient, and took us to a fabulous restaurant where we chose our fish (in Afurada, near Gaia). We also really liked our guide for the trip to the Douro Valley, Francisco, who was fun and interesting, and the trainee Paulo who came along. The quinta we went to was beautiful. I think Kimkim did a great job of planning for us considering I had said I didn't want to stay in too many different places. I might ask next time for suggestions about something a little more off the beaten path to do, particularly if we have more time, such as meeting with a family or a cooking class. The additional suggestions that Kimkim provided for places to see and eat in each city were also great!
We found and went to the Museum of Liberation and Resistance in Lisbon, which I highly recommend. It's a smaller museum in a former prison that explains all about the dictatorship, censorship, jailing, exiles and resistance movements, so we learned a lot we didn't know before, and it is in the Alfama district in a picturesque area.

Hotel Reviews
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
Lisboa
Authenticity & Character
Location
Very convenient, on a beautiful street, but less character to the area than where we stayed at Casa Balthazar.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PortoBay Hotel Teatro
Porto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sapientia Boutique Hotel
Coimbra
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Balthazar
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Take a Bike Tour of Porto & Visit the Fishing Village of Afurada
Take a Bike Tour of Porto & Visit the Fishing Village of Afurada
Porto

Really fun to pedal through Gaia and have great views of Porto. We had a great lunch at an outdoor restaurant in Afurada. The guide was very understanding of my fear of riding through the Porto streets at the begnning and took it slowly. He even stayed with us for a while after the tour and showed us more things in Porto, such as some of the famous and beautiful churches, but we did then want to determine ourselves what we were going to do after that. He had a really interesting background and it was great getting to know the various guides and learn more about their lives.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to the Douro Valley  for a Wine Tour & River Cruise
Day Trip to the Douro Valley for a Wine Tour & River Cruise
Porto

Loved our guides, the scenery, learning about the wine and port production, the wine tastings and learning about the industry. We had an amazing lunch at a very scenic restaurant on the river. Really a great day! it is a long day trip so an alternative would be to spend aa night at a lovely inn in the Douro Valley.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Travel from {{start_location}} to Aveiro & Arrive in Porto
Travel from {{start_location}} to Aveiro & Arrive in Porto
Portugal

Our guide, Walter, was really nice and informative. However, personally I was not thrilled with Aveiro. We were allotted a lot of time there we did not need. They call it the "Venice of Portugal" but the canal ride and scenery is overhyped (in my opinion - others might love it!). There are a lot of nice cafes and interesting history of salt production in Aveiro, and some good architecture but overall I could have spent more time in Coimbra, or go to Obido instead I think. Not the fault of Kimkim, I just didn't really think about this. It sounded like there are lots of canals to wander around the city but that isn't the case. We were on a boat ride with a huge bunch of schoolchildren and couldn't really hear or undersatnd the information from the guide on the boat.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wander the Historical Streets of Coimbra with a Private Walking Tour
Wander the Historical Streets of Coimbra with a Private Walking Tour
Coimbra

Coimbra is interesting and fascinating. Sara knew so much history and interesting information. She also showed us the fado organization/ school where she works and explained about the type of fado music in Coimbra and how it is unique.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Lisbon with a Private Walking Tour
Explore Lisbon with a Private Walking Tour
Lisbon
Lisbon Riverside Bike Tour
Lisbon Riverside Bike Tour
Lisbon

A little scary due to so many people on the bike path riding scooters, walking, running, and having to navigate in traffic and around cars, but the guide was very informative and it was fun to go along the river.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Apr 02, 2023

Hi Laurie, many thanks for taking the time to review your trip in detail and it's great to get your feedback about all the different elements that went into the trip. Of course, we're also thrilled that you enjoyed the trip and that it was an enriching experience overall! As you say there is so much to see and do, it can be tough to squeeze it all in and keep it to a reasonable pace! I hope there will be a next time for you. With v best wishes from Chaima, myself and the Tailormade team

Thanksgiving trip to Spain
Spain | Nov 20 - Nov 26, 2022

T
Tamara I.
Pikesville, MD | Reviewed on Dec 10, 2022
We spent the week of Thanksgiving in Spain (family of four, including two teenage boys). James planned a very exciting and comprehensive trip for us, and Angela took care of any of our needs while we were there, including a last-minute switch I made to our itinerary which likely required some pretty impressive effort on her part to accomplish, but she did so quickly and graciously. We had extremely well informed guides to lead us through sites and cities, who shared with us a great deal of... Read more

We spent the week of Thanksgiving in Spain (family of four, including two teenage boys). James planned a very exciting and comprehensive trip for us, and Angela took care of any of our needs while we were there, including a last-minute switch I made to our itinerary which likely required some pretty impressive effort on her part to accomplish, but she did so quickly and graciously. We had extremely well informed guides to lead us through sites and cities, who shared with us a great deal of history and knowledge. We particularly loved Maribel in Barcelona and Teresa in Madrid. James offered a few means of seeing cities we hadn’t tried before, including a Segway and horse and carriage. I questioned both, but we ended up loving them. James booked our hotels, booked our trains, secured our drivers, and set up all of our guided tours, and everything went off without a hitch. Literally no planning on my part, and that was just wet we needed in deciding on this last-minute trip during a busy time. I would absolutely recommend this travel agency and can’t wait to use them again. Thank you!

Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Dec 13, 2022

Hi Tamara! Many thanks for your review, we're thrilled you had such a fantastic time. Lots of happy memories created, I'm sure! It was a pleasure to plan and arrange this 'go-go-go' trip for and with you, and I'm pleased it all worked out well. Thanks again and un abrazo! James

An amazing trip in Andalucia Spain!
Spain | Oct 16 - Oct 26, 2022

Ariana
Ariana T.
Peachtree City, GA | Reviewed on Oct 27, 2022
James did a great job creating a trip exactly to our specifications! All of the guides were so informative, professional and fun! Our hotels were gorgeous and we saw so many highlights of each area. All the stress of planing was handled by the team and it was wonderful! Thank you! Read more

James did a great job creating a trip exactly to our specifications! All of the guides were so informative, professional and fun! Our hotels were gorgeous and we saw so many highlights of each area. All the stress of planing was handled by the team and it was wonderful! Thank you!

Hotel Review
Hotel Casa 1800 Granada
Granada

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

Authenticity & Character
So cool to have a hotel with such history.
Location
It’s close to everything you want to see in Grenada!
Staff
The staff were so friendly and accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Oct 31, 2022

Hi there Ariana, Thanks very much for your comments and great news you loved it! It was a pleasure to plan it out with you too! All the best and I hope you'll be back sometime soon. Best wishes, James and the Tailormade Andalucia team

Primas in Portugal 2022
Portugal | Sep 24 - Oct 1, 2022

Melinda
Melinda L.
Cumberland, RI | Reviewed on Oct 08, 2022

We had great guides and drivers, especially Valter, Francisco, Sophia, Ricardo and Daniel.

The trip was just the right combination of structure and spontaneity, and we didn’t get exhausted from doing too much.

Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Oct 13, 2022

Hi Melinda, many thanks for sharing your comments and that's fantastic you had a great trip! We're thrilled that together, we got the balance right too and the guides and drivers contributed to the experience :) Un abrazo, James and Chaima

Lisbon to Porto to Cascais. Sept 2022
Portugal | Sep 24 - Oct 1, 2022

L
Laurie m.
Providence, RI | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2022
Absolutely Perfect! James was spot on with all of our requests and interests in visiting certain spots in Portugal. All of our transfers ran smoothly and the tour guides Frank, Sophia, Daniel, Ricardo, Sonia, Fransisco, Malia and Valter were fantastic! They all were extremely informative, warm, friendly and provided lots of laughs! I would highly recommend Kim Kim's services. Our local contact Chaima, was always available and frequently checked in with us to be sure we were doing well. ... Read more

Absolutely Perfect! James was spot on with all of our requests and interests in visiting certain spots in Portugal. All of our transfers ran smoothly and the tour guides Frank, Sophia, Daniel, Ricardo, Sonia, Fransisco, Malia and Valter were fantastic! They all were extremely informative, warm, friendly and provided lots of laughs! I would highly recommend Kim Kim's services. Our local contact Chaima, was always available and frequently checked in with us to be sure we were doing well. We would not have been able to cover so much had we done this on our own. We enjoyed every highlight from the history in old Lisbon, bakeries, walking tours, Fados, wineries, magnificent views of the Douro Valley, resort town of Cascais...the list is endless! Deepest thanks to James for organizing such a magical, memorable trip!

Hotel Reviews
Pestana Cidadela Cascais
Cascais
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pousada Porto—Rua das Flores
Porto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PortoBay Liberdade
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Day Trip from Porto to Coimbra & Nazaré, End in {{end_location}}
Day Trip from Porto to Coimbra & Nazaré, End in {{end_location}}
Portugal

Spectacular day with Valter! He made the day so much fun with stops in Coimbra, Nazare and then with final stop in Cascais. The views were amazing, the stops were great ...can not say enough !

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Melia who gave us the tour in Coimbra was delightful. She knew so much about the university ...it was all so interesting !
Transport
Day Trip to the Douro Valley  for a Wine Tour & River Cruise
Day Trip to the Douro Valley for a Wine Tour & River Cruise
Porto

Amazing day with Fransisco! The vineyards and the Douro River cruise were just beautiful. The view were breath taking. The day was magical!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
everything!!!! Trip is a must on your visit to Porto
Enjoy a Private Walking Tour of Porto
Enjoy a Private Walking Tour of Porto
Porto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Transfer from Lisbon to Porto
Private Transfer from Lisbon to Porto
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Trip to Sintra & Pena Palace
Half Day Trip to Sintra & Pena Palace
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Fado & Tapas
Sunset Fado & Tapas
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Food
more choices for dinner ...we only had 2 choices
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Lisbon with a Private Walking Tour
Explore Lisbon with a Private Walking Tour
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Take a Tuk-Tuk Tour to Spectacular Lookout Points
Take a Tuk-Tuk Tour to Spectacular Lookout Points
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Oct 05, 2022

Hi Laurie! That's so good to hear you had such a great time! It really makes our day to hear comments like this!! It was a delight to plan it out with you and we're so glad it all came together well. All the best to you all and thanks for travelling with us. Un abrazo, James

Amazing España and tailormade andalucia
Spain | Jul 31 - Aug 9, 2022

Sachin
Sachin P.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2022
From the moment we started planning our trip James was an amazing resource and guide. He set up a fantastic itinerary that included Barcelona, San Sebastian, Costa Brava and Bilbao. We had amazing guided private tours in each city. Some of the highlights was the Pinchos tour in San Sebastian as well as our Picasso museum tour. The cooking class in Barcelona was very memorable. This was with cook taste Barcelona cooking class and our chef with Rosa. Our Picasso museum tour guide was... Read more

From the moment we started planning our trip James was an amazing resource and guide. He set up a fantastic itinerary that included Barcelona, San Sebastian, Costa Brava and Bilbao. We had amazing guided private tours in each city. Some of the highlights was the Pinchos tour in San Sebastian as well as our Picasso museum tour. The cooking class in Barcelona was very memorable. This was with cook taste Barcelona cooking class and our chef with Rosa. Our Picasso museum tour guide was unbelievably fantastic her name was Gilda

Rocio was our in country guide who was always available and made changes as necessary. We ate at some great restaurants hiked kayaked and spent amazing times with the Spanish people.

we loved every hotel we stayed at which included the Almanac in Barcelona, hotel lllondres in San Sebastian and aigua blava in costa brava

Entire team is fantastic and I would highly recommend going with him for your memorable trip to Spain

Hotel Review
Almanac Barcelona
Barcelona

Great staff Amazing pool Virens was awesome Superb location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Half Day Kayak Excursion on the Costa Brava
Half Day Kayak Excursion on the Costa Brava
Spain
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Pintxos Tour of San Sebastian
A Pintxos Tour of San Sebastian
San Sebastián

Visiting the culinary capital of the world and taking a guided Pintxo tour was just delicious. Recommend doing this very much visiting and Sebastian

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Cooking Class with a Guided Visit to the Boqueria Market
Private Cooking Class with a Guided Visit to the Boqueria Market
Barcelona

Ross I was excellent. Very educational and Interactive. We loved the food and the experience

Quality of Experience
B
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Sep 05, 2022

Hi Sachin!
Fantastic to hear that you had such an enriching trip and it was a pleasure to plan it out with you! Many thanks again for taking the time to write and the photos show what fun you had!
Un abrazo, James

Two weeks in Portugal
Portugal | Jul 29 - Aug 11, 2022

G
Gertrude L.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 30, 2022
This was the first time I used KimKim. It was an easy and fun experience to plan with James. He was responsive, informative and courteous. When our family (with 16 and 18 year old boys) actually went on the trip, everything ran smoothly (with the exception of one slight delay in a pick up due to a mechanical issue which was quickly solved) and all the tour guides and drivers were excellent. We booked smaller, boutique style hotels which were just what I asked…clean, quiet, and central. ... Read more

This was the first time I used KimKim. It was an easy and fun experience to plan with James. He was responsive, informative and courteous. When our family (with 16 and 18 year old boys) actually went on the trip, everything ran smoothly (with the exception of one slight delay in a pick up due to a mechanical issue which was quickly solved) and all the tour guides and drivers were excellent. We booked smaller, boutique style hotels which were just what I asked…clean, quiet, and central. The one in Lisbon especially had fantastic service and a beautiful rooftop terrace overlooking the city. James introduced us to Rocio right before the trip and she was available to assist if we needed. She called to introduce herself at our hotel when we landed in Lisbon and text us during the trip to ask how we were doing. It was a comfort to know we could talk to her if something didn’t go according to plan. Overall, our family of four had a trip we will always remember! We learned so much about the history, food and culture of Portugal and the time spent together as a family was truly precious. Thank you James and Rocio for everything! We would recommend you to everyone who wants to plan a unique and unforgettable trip. Obrigada!

Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Aug 30, 2022

Hey Gertrude,
Fantastic to know you had such a great trip and it was a pleasure to have you travelling with us! Many thanks for taking the time to write and I hope you can make it back to Portugal sometime soon!
With our very best wishes, James

Thank you so much we had a fantastic trip and...
Spain | Jul 31 - Aug 5, 2022

N
Niamh A.
Harrison, NY | Reviewed on Aug 27, 2022
Thank you so much we had a fantastic trip and visited so many beautiful and historic palaces. Everything was so easy thanks to your team. From the collection and transport to the local guides onsite we really enjoyed the trip and it was so much more valuable because of the KimKim team. We learned a lot!! Read more

Thank you so much we had a fantastic trip and visited so many beautiful and historic palaces. Everything was so easy thanks to your team. From the collection and transport to the local guides onsite we really enjoyed the trip and it was so much more valuable because of the KimKim team. We learned a lot!!

Hotel Review
Áurea Washington Irving by Eurostars Hotel Company
Granada

Fabulous hotel - Love to see a More expanded menu at the restaurant

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right beside the Alahambra and walk down to the village
Staff
Our receptionist did switch over mid check in to Prioritize other clients but did reach out to apologize.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Aug 29, 2022

Hi Niamh,
Great to hear that and thank you for taking the time to write! So pleased you had a great trip and felt you got the most out of the wonderful Andalucian sights & history! All the best and it was a pleasure to plan it with you and have you travelling with us!
Un abrazo, James

So impressed! We really loved our trip and th...
Spain | Jul 31 - Aug 9, 2022

Chris
Chris G.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on Aug 15, 2022
So impressed! We really loved our trip and the catered attention to detail. We are so grateful. Thank you for a wonderful, well thought out itinerary! Read more

So impressed! We really loved our trip and the catered attention to detail. We are so grateful. Thank you for a wonderful, well thought out itinerary!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Aigua Blava
Costa Brava · Girona
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel de Londres & de Inglaterra
San Sebastian
Authenticity & Character
The beds
Location
Loved being right off La Concha beach!
Staff
Concierge was superb
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds are a bit dated. Updated bathrooms though!
Almanac Barcelona
Barcelona
Authenticity & Character
Location
You couldn’t pick a better location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Aug 29, 2022

Hi there Chris & family,
Thanks so much for sharing your comments. I'm so pleased that you had a wonderful family holiday together and got to visit a great variety of locations in Spain. I hope you've taken many happy memories with you too!!All the best and un abrazo from Sevilla,
James

Excellent Tour
Spain | Jul 29 - Aug 9, 2022

James
James G.
Gaithersburg, MD | Reviewed on Aug 10, 2022
Hotel arrangements and hotel staff were great. Most tour drivers and vehicles were great. Original vehicle in costa brava was sub par. Vehicle for diner in El Far broke down. Arrangement of Taxi substitute was great. Their taxis and drivers were great. Tour guides were great and very informative. We enjoyed the Prado museum and the archeological museum in Madrid. A tour of Toledo was a highlight of our tour. We enjoyed the beaches of Sanander, San Sabastain, and Costa Brava. We wish you would... Read more

Hotel arrangements and hotel staff were great. Most tour drivers and vehicles were great. Original vehicle in costa brava was sub par. Vehicle for diner in El Far broke down. Arrangement of Taxi substitute was great. Their taxis and drivers were great. Tour guides were great and very informative. We enjoyed the Prado museum and the archeological museum in Madrid. A tour of Toledo was a highlight of our tour. We enjoyed the beaches of Sanander, San Sabastain, and Costa Brava. We wish you would have provided more information about how train service to Sanander works. We did not know that there would be a rush to check luggage after platform was announced. We did not know luggage would be checked.

Hotel Review
Hotel de Londres & de Inglaterra
San Sebastian

Great location on the beach. Breakfast and restaurant were great. Hotel staff were helpful. Room was clean and cleaning staff provided excellent service. Only negative was that our city view room was looking onto a construction site. Better to chose an Ocean View room if available.

Authenticity & Character
Location
On the beach
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Aug 16, 2022

Hi James,
Many thanks for sharing the highlights of your trip and I'm so pleased that the hotels and guides, contributed to a memorable trip with the family. I'm glad we could help make rearrangements after the a little misfortunate and hope the slight delay didn't affect your enjoyment nevertheless. We've taken note about the train station also and are to include more information for travellers. It was a pleasure to plan out the trip with you. Un abrazo, James

All our local tour guides have made our trip ...
Spain | Jul 31 - Aug 9, 2022

L
Lee G.
Gaithersburg, MD | Reviewed on Aug 10, 2022
All our local tour guides have made our trip so interesting and unforgettable. Their knowledge and speaking skills have given us a profound memory of Span’s history, culture, and arts! They are excellent tour guides! We really appreciate your arrangements and hotel staff. Read more

All our local tour guides have made our trip so interesting and unforgettable. Their knowledge and speaking skills have given us a profound memory of Span’s history, culture, and arts! They are excellent tour guides! We really appreciate your arrangements and hotel staff.

Hotel Review
Hotel Aigua Blava
Costa Brava · Girona

The scenery from our balcony to the Mediterranean Sea and its beaches was remarkable! Hotel staff were very helpful and friendly which made us as Americans feel comfortable and enjoyable. The food from its restaurant was amazing!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Aug 17, 2022

Hi Lee!
Many thanks for taking the time to write the review and I'm so pleased that you've taken some wonderful memories of Spain back home with you! It was a pleasure to have you travelling with us! Un abrazo, James

Fun in Spain
Spain | Jul 30 - Aug 7, 2022

Susan
Susan B.
Brentwood, NY | Reviewed on Aug 09, 2022
We had so much fun visiting Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid. The guides on the walking tours were excellent and very knowledgeable. We especially liked Josep who took us through the old quarter of Valencia. He made it not only interesting but held our attention. The private cooking class in Valencia was wonderful also. We had an enjoyable evening making authentic paella, a Spanish omelet and a delicious sponge cake. In Madrid, my favorite thing to do was to see the flamenco show. ... Read more

We had so much fun visiting Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid. The guides on the walking tours were excellent and very knowledgeable. We especially liked Josep who took us through the old quarter of Valencia. He made it not only interesting but held our attention. The private cooking class in Valencia was wonderful also. We had an enjoyable evening making authentic paella, a Spanish omelet and a delicious sponge cake. In Madrid, my favorite thing to do was to see the flamenco show. It was performed with such passion.
Really the whole trip was great and we really appreciated both James and Rocio for all their assistance in making our trip a reality.

Hotel Review
Gallery
Barcelona

The hotel was very centrally located which made it easy to get around the city. The rooms and public spaces were very nice and very clean. The breakfast had a nice variety and the food was very good. Everyone was very friendly and helpful there.

Authenticity & Character
Nicely decorated
Location
Central location
Staff
Very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Activity Reviews
Private Tour of the Gothic Quarter - Light Tapas before Dinner
Private Tour of the Gothic Quarter - Light Tapas before Dinner
Barcelona
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Walking Tour of Madrid & the Prado Museum
Private Walking Tour of Madrid & the Prado Museum
Madrid

The tour and the guide were very good. Unfortunately by this time in the trip, I think we were all exhausted and the heat had gotten to us. Any other time it would have been very enjoyable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Tour of Valencia's Old Town - Afternoon to Explore the 'City of Arts & Sciences'
Private Tour of Valencia's Old Town - Afternoon to Explore the 'City of Arts & Sciences'
Valencia

It was an excellent tour with a great guide who managed to engage all of us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Tour of Park Güell & Sagrada Família
Private Tour of Park Güell & Sagrada Família
Barcelona

We learned a lot. The guide was very interesting and explained things very well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Evening Flamenco Show & Dinner Reservation
Evening Flamenco Show & Dinner Reservation
Madrid

The flamenco dancing was very moving and you could feel the performers passion.

Quality of Experience
Beautiful to watch
Paella Cooking Class
Paella Cooking Class
Valencia

The cooking class was excellent and very enjoyable. I would definitely recommend taking the lessons with this chef. His personality was very engaging and he was fun and organized in his presentation.

Quality of Experience
Food
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Aug 10, 2022

Hey Susan,
We're so pleased that you enjoyed the trip and it all came together well. Thanks very much for taking the time to post the review too and it was a pleasure to have you travelling with us and Kimkim!
All the best and we hope to host you again soon!
James, Rocio & the Tailormade Andalucia team

Highly Recommend!
Spain | Jul 23 - Jul 31, 2022

Randi
Randi B.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2022
James put together a customized itinerary that was tailored to our interests. He listened carefully to what we were looking for, presented an itinerary, and worked closely with us to tweak it until it was perfect! Our drivers and guides made our vacation stress free and very informative. Most memorable were our cooking class in Barcelona, our “Cultural Triathlon” and flamenco night in Sevilla, hiking the Caminito del Rey, and visiting the Alhambra in Granada. Each hotel was beautiful in... Read more

James put together a customized itinerary that was tailored to our interests. He listened carefully to what we were looking for, presented an itinerary, and worked closely with us to tweak it until it was perfect! Our drivers and guides made our vacation stress free and very informative. Most memorable were our cooking class in Barcelona, our “Cultural Triathlon” and flamenco night in Sevilla, hiking the Caminito del Rey, and visiting the Alhambra in Granada. Each hotel was beautiful in its own way. I especially loved our hotels in Sevilla and Granada!
Once we arrived in Spain, James or a member of his team were always available and checked in with us regularly to make sure everything was going well. We really appreciated that!
I would absolutely recommend KimKim and specifically Tailor Made Andalucia if you are planning to travel to Spain!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Casa 1800 Granada
Granada

Perfect location for walking around the city. Tucked away from the noise on a small pedestrian street with lots of charm! Very peaceful, beautiful courtyard where afternoon tea and sweets are served… a really nice touch and much appreciated! Nice breakfast buffet as well. No elevator, so ask for help if your room is at the top of the stairs and your bags are heavy!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Front desk staff should offer to have someone carry bags for those whose rooms are on the top floors.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza
Sevilla

Really pretty hotel with beautiful courtyard for breakfast and lovely pool and lounge area! Restaurant onsite with good food. Very relaxing to eat poolside!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Gallery
Barcelona

Friendly, helpful front desk staff, large and modern rooms, excellent breakfast buffet! Perfect location for walking to just about everything or using the subway. Yummy gelato place across the street!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Day Trip from Ronda to Hike the 'Caminito del Rey' - Ending in Granada
Day Trip from Ronda to Hike the 'Caminito del Rey' - Ending in Granada
Spain

Very beautiful, cool experience. Perfectly safe.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cultural Triathlon in Sevilla!
Cultural Triathlon in Sevilla!
Seville

Our guide, Pilar, was exceptional. She clearly loves her city and loves to share its history and its charms! The horse drawn carriage picked us up at our hotel and took us to the Plaza de Espana. After the ride was finished, we walked to the river where our boat was waiting! The boat took us to Triana, where we learned some of the history, walked through the market, and did some shopping. It was a great trip!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Cooking Class of Spanish Cuisine
A Cooking Class of Spanish Cuisine
Barcelona

Great experience! Class of 12 included retirees, a family of 6, and 4 others including us. Our chef took us shopping for the ingredients at the big market and gave us a tour of the market which was an unexpected perk. We made many different dishes and then sat at a big table to enjoy the meal. It was a unique experience, one of the highlights of our trip.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Walk of the Gothic Quarter with Tapas Dinner
Guided Walk of the Gothic Quarter with Tapas Dinner
Barcelona

If you love history, this is the walk for you! Very informative tour guide! Tapas dinner was fun… we went to 2 places to experience some variety.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Aug 25, 2022

Hi Randi!

Many thanks for your detailed feedback and kind words. We're thrilled that you had a great time and it all came togther well! I'm especially pleased you loved the visits in Andalucia! It was a delight to plan it with you & have you travelling with us. Good luck with the Spanish course!
Un abrazo,
James

Best Experience Ever 😊 !!
Spain | Jul 23 - Jul 31, 2022

Neida
Neida J.
Lansdale, PA | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2022
I decided to travel to Spain with my college friend and we had some unique requirements, which in turn led us to James. After chatting with him and understanding his process, we knew we met the right person to guide us and get this trip pulled together, to cover the areas of Spain we wanted to visit. With patience and knowledge, James created the trip of a lifetime for us. I just returned, and wanted to share my feedback. If you want to travel to Spain, look no further. James and... Read more

I decided to travel to Spain with my college friend and we had some unique requirements, which in turn led us to James.

After chatting with him and understanding his process, we knew we met the right person to guide us and get this trip pulled together, to cover the areas of Spain we wanted to visit.

With patience and knowledge, James created the trip of a lifetime for us.

I just returned, and wanted to share my feedback. If you want to travel to Spain, look no further. James and his team were phenomenal!

The itinerary was perfect, the details were executed with perfection and we were cared for from the minute we landed to the minute we departed. We will have lasting memories of an incredible week.

Thumbs up 👍🏻 All the way!!

Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Aug 02, 2022

Hi Neida,

It makes our day to read comments like this!! Many thanks for taking the time to write and it was a real pleasure to have you travelling with us. We are THRILLED that the trip all came together well and that you enjoyed it so! I hope you'll remember the experience for many years to come!

Thanks again and un abrazo,
James

First Visit to Spain for 25th Anniversary
Spain | Jun 22 - Jul 1, 2022

Kelli
Kelli H.
Cedar Park, TX | Reviewed on Jul 13, 2022
This was our first time using KimKim, as we usually plan our own vacations. We were visiting Barcelona and the Costa Brava for our 25th wedding anniversary and didn't want to worry about logistics. This was so perfect because everything was taken care of, yet we were able to personalize our trip to fit our preferences. Our trip was 10 days total, and we wanted to do a few days cycling. James was great! He made some great recommendations based on an itinerary we said we liked and the types of... Read more

This was our first time using KimKim, as we usually plan our own vacations. We were visiting Barcelona and the Costa Brava for our 25th wedding anniversary and didn't want to worry about logistics. This was so perfect because everything was taken care of, yet we were able to personalize our trip to fit our preferences. Our trip was 10 days total, and we wanted to do a few days cycling. James was great! He made some great recommendations based on an itinerary we said we liked and the types of things we enjoy. He went out of his way to find the perfect 3 day cycling tour for us. Communication was excellent beforehand and with Chaima while we were there.
We enjoyed our 3 days in Barcelona so much. Our tour guide, Maribel, for Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia was excellent! It was so much more enjoyable having a guide to explain the history and symbolism of those two landmarks. Germania was our guide for our bike tour of the city, which took us to Barceloneta Beach, and she was also excellent. Olga was great for our tour of the Gothic Quarter and tapas. We had plenty of time to explore on our own, so we think James did a great job balancing planned activities with general free time. The Gallery Hotel was very nice and had a fantastic rooftop deck. We were there for the biggest celebration of the year - the Feast of St. Joan (first day of summer, June 24) which was a surprise and very exciting.
Our cycling tour was through Cycle Catalan and Mark and Shelly were SO great to work with. We really connected with them. The bikes were top notch, and we used an app to navigate the routes. The routes were excellent as well as the accommodations in Torroella de Montgri and Palamos. Both places were lovely and the hotel dining was also amazing.
Our last few days were spent in Cadaques, including a sailing trip out of Empuriabrava, which was so fun! Our captain was Josep and Marina was his assistant. It was a really fun trip snorkeling and getting to help with the sails while learning a little more about the area.
All in all, our vacation was fabulous with no hitches (even the weather was perfect!) We loved it so much we considered moving there! I would highly recommend KimKim and Tailormade Andalucia for your Spain travel!

Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Jul 21, 2022

Hi there Kelli & Clark,
We're so pleased to hear you had such a great trip and that it all worked just right for you. Cycling routes included! It is such a great area and I'm glad we didn't try to squeeze too much in. It was a real pleasure to plan it out with you and while travelling with us. Thanks also for taking the time to review the trip. All the best from Chaima and myself and ¡hasta la próxima!
Un abrazo,
James

This was an excellent trip!
Portugal | Jun 4 - Jun 12, 2022

Robert
Robert J.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 17, 2022
This was an excellent trip from start to finish. James was instrumental in giving us choices for our time in Portugal and easily amended the trip when we added side adventures to the original itinerary.
Hotels were beautiful with friendly staff, comfortable rooms and wonderful morning breakfasts. The restaurants that we chose for each of the three main cities had excellent cuisine, great service and atmosphere. And, of course, first-rate Portuguese wines!
Our guides and drivers on this...
Read more

This was an excellent trip from start to finish. James was instrumental in giving us choices for our time in Portugal and easily amended the trip when we added side adventures to the original itinerary.
Hotels were beautiful with friendly staff, comfortable rooms and wonderful morning breakfasts. The restaurants that we chose for each of the three main cities had excellent cuisine, great service and atmosphere. And, of course, first-rate Portuguese wines!
Our guides and drivers on this trip were very knowledgable and friendly. Even entertaining! They love showing off their incredible country.
We had a bit of a problem at the end of the trip, but James' team came to the rescue and all was resolved in short order.
All in all, a fantastic trip, well-designed and gave us a great taste of Portugal. We'll have many pleasant memories for years to come.

Hotel Review
H10 Duque de Loule
Lisboa

The azulejos in the lobby were incredibly beautiful and they had a great breakfast for guests. Very friendly staff and a quiet, comfortable room. If you have time, make a reservation to watch the sunset go down from the top floor patio. Great way to end your day.

Staff
Very friendly.
Local specialist: James Monro
James
James Monro
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Replied on Jun 18, 2022

Hi Robert & Vicente,
Planning the trip with you (over almost 2 yrs thanks to 'the' situation!) and hosting you for your trip to Portugal was a pleasure! Many thanks for your comments and kind words too. We're all so pleased that you had such a memorable trip and that it all came together just right!
Un abrazo from all the Tailormade Andalucia team!
Best,
James