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Marina Courtaut

Can you think of a better way to live adventures than traveling?
When we travel we open our minds to new experiences and learn new cultures by making the destination we visited our home for a short time. My job as part of the Espiritu Travel team is to ensure that after your trip, you will always remember that destination as another one of “your home”. I am passionate about designing trips that include the highlights of Spain and Portugal, including small places that go beyond the conventions and show the authentic culture of the place.

I am Spanish by birth but my father is from France so my heart is divided. My passion for traveling came from my parents, who have shared their trips around the world with me. Since then, I haven't stopped, always looking for authentic experiences that help me understand the culture of the place I visit. I have had the opportunity to live in the state of Michigan, in Amsterdam and in Paris, and I have traveled through many of the corners of the world and in my country Spain, the cradle of the Flamenco Art.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"We specialize in trips to Spain and Portugal as well as Cuba. In both countries, we have our own offices so we can create all types of tailor-made trips; culture, art, history, culture, architecture, gastronomy, outdoor activities, nature-based, small groups, off the beaten track"

How did you get involved in travel?

"Since I was little, I've had the opportunity to travel through wonderful places and I was always amazed at the exchange of cultures that occurred while traveling, whether traveling as part of a group or solo. I decided to start my career as a professional in the world of travel at the age of 19 when I started studying the Tourism degree in Madrid. Since then, I have worked in different roles in the tourism industry: in travel agencies, as a tourism consultant, and in hotels. In addition, I studied the Master “International Tourism Management”. As part of the Espíritu Travel team, I continue my trip through the tourism industry as a local Travel Specialist in Spain and Portugal."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"It is difficult to choose an experience of all the lived one while traveling ... it is like choosing a favorite song, so difficult!

But if I had to choose one I think it would be the one I lived during the Holy Week in Malaga, it was not the first time I visited Malaga but it was the first time I saw a procession. Malaga is a beautiful coastal city in southern Spain.

I was shocked with the magic of the city during these holidays, especially when the processions happen at night. The city is silent and the music of the orchestra touches you in a magical way accompanied by the light of the torches carried by the brotherhoods.

Regardless of the religious character of this party, it is moving to see how the Spanish live Holy Week."

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
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Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Marina

Marina was excellent. Thanks to all of her i...
Portugal | Sep 21 - Sep 27, 2023

J
joe h.
Wheeler, WI | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023

Marina was excellent. Thanks to all of her insights and help we enjoyed a trip we’ll never forget. Marina put us with outstanding guides who made places come to life in food, history, art, photos and stories we’ll remember forever. read more

Marina was excellent. Thanks to all of her insights and help we enjoyed a trip we’ll never forget. Marina put us with outstanding guides who made places come to life in food, history, art, photos and stories we’ll remember forever.

Hotel Reviews
Exe Almada Porto
Porto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PortoBay Marquês
Lisbon

Staff was very kind and helpful

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

Great guide, great food.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Privately Guided Visit of Porto
Porto

Clara, our guide, was outstanding. Fun, friendly and high- energy which was infectious. Her pride of Porto was clear and really engaging

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Olive oil & River Cruise
Porto

Roi, our guide, was very knowledgeable and engaging. Really helped us understand the area well

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Evening of Fado
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Food
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

Our guide was so knowledgeable about the history and neighborhoods of Lisbon. We came away with a much greater understanding of Lisbon

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Day Excursion to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Lisbon

Our guide, Paola, was outstanding. Fun, friendly, engaging and very knowledgeable. He showed us the highlights of course but it was all the out of the way authentic places he took us to and his personality that made this day so special for us. Hands down the best guide we had in Portugal.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Oct 02, 2023

Hi Joe,
Thank you so much for such a lovely review! It was a real pleasure for me to help you plan this wonderful trip to Portugal and I am glad you enjoyed your trip :) I will pass on your kind words to all the team. I hope you created lovely memories in Portugal which are the best souvenirs from a trip. I look forward to working with you in the future. Warmest regards, Marina

Tour Anadalusia Spain and Beautiful Blancos Pueblos
Spain | Sep 7 - Sep 19, 2023

G
Geri J.
Jacksonville, FL | Reviewed on Sep 26, 2023

Trip Planning
Marina was excellent in working with us on our trip. We made so many changes and she was very patient throughout the process. She was very knowledgeable regarding places to visit in Spain. For example, she recommended seeing the Blancos pueblos, which we knew nothing about. We loved them! She was very accessible when we were on the trip. She responded immediatley when we messaged her through the app. I would work with her again.
The only thing I would improve is the... read more

Trip Planning
Marina was excellent in working with us on our trip. We made so many changes and she was very patient throughout the process. She was very knowledgeable regarding places to visit in Spain. For example, she recommended seeing the Blancos pueblos, which we knew nothing about. We loved them! She was very accessible when we were on the trip. She responded immediatley when we messaged her through the app. I would work with her again.
The only thing I would improve is the initial overall trip planning. I wish she had asked us more about hotel choices and location prefernces. The hotels were nice, but in very crowded touristy areas. We prefer to stay in less touristy areas even though it may be further away from attractions/historic sites.
Tours. Exceptional tour guides in Granada- Alhambra and Cordoba- Mezquita. Other guides were good. Tapas tour and Paella class excellent too.
Only disappointing guide was Montserrat. We had to take the cable car at our own expense because the guide was late picking us up. He was very disorganized and not informative compared to other guides we noticed at Montserrat. I think everyone in our group was disappointed with him. Nice man though.

Activity Reviews
Tapas Culinary Experience
Barcelona

Our guide was great. We went to less touristy places for tapas and the food was great!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half-Day Excursion to Montserrat
Barcelona

Our guide was late picking us up so we had to take the cable car at our expense to get to Montserrat. We were late for our tour but he got us in. Other guides were giving history, showing photos on their iPads while we were waiting in line, but he did none of that. It was akward. Then he told us our tickets included a movie and exhibit on Montserrat, but when we went he reallized we had to pay extra. It was very disappointing. He was a nice man but shouldn't be a tour guide! I'm giving 2 stars because Montserrat is a beautiful spiritual place.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens
Spain

Our guide was fanatastic. He was so knowledgeable regarding the history of Alhambra. He kept us on a schedule which was good because it was very crowded. A woman in our group had toured the Alhambra 8 times (she lives in Spain and has many visitors). She said it was the best tour guide she ever had. That speaks volumes!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Walking Tour of Ronda
Ronda

We had a private guide. He was excellent. It felt more like we were walking with a friend verus a guide. He took so much time with us and went over our alloted time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We walked.
Day trip to Córdoba
Seville

We had a private tour guide. She was very knowledgeable regarding the history of the sites we visited. She was excellent. Her englilsh was very good too. She recommended a local spot for lunch and we loved it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We took the train which was really easy
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 28, 2023

Hi Geri, thank you so so much for taking the time to write your trip review and your kind words! It has been a true pleasure helping you plan your trip to Spain. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your guide tours, I will make sure to pass your words on to our guides! Thank you for letting me know about your guided tour in Montserrat I will check with your guide as it is totally unacceptable that the guide was late and this affected your tour. I hope you can visit us in the future to discover... read more

Hi Geri, thank you so so much for taking the time to write your trip review and your kind words! It has been a true pleasure helping you plan your trip to Spain. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your guide tours, I will make sure to pass your words on to our guides! Thank you for letting me know about your guided tour in Montserrat I will check with your guide as it is totally unacceptable that the guide was late and this affected your tour. I hope you can visit us in the future to discover new destinations, such as the North of Spain, or Portugal. My kindest regards, Marina from the Espiritu Travel family :)

Portugal- Lisbon-Porto
Portugal | Sep 11 - Sep 18, 2023

L
Laura T.
Jeffersonville, IN | Reviewed on Sep 21, 2023

Marina did a wonderful job in planning our trip. Things changed when our flight was canceled and she needed to rebook several of our tours. Had a little hiccup with understanding what we wanted but that was due on our end because we were traveling and couldn’t explain expectations to her well.

Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 22, 2023

Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for such a lovely review! It was a real pleasure for me to help you plan this wonderful trip to Portugal and I am glad you enjoyed your trip :) I look forward to working with you in the future. Warmest regards, Marina

A Wonderful Two-Week Honeymoon Exploring the Wonders and Gems of Spain!
Spain | Jul 31 - Aug 13, 2023

Paul
Paul S.
Highlands Ranch, CO | Reviewed on Aug 14, 2023

First and foremost, thank you to Marina, our travel advisor, for putting together an amazing honeymoon for us! We thoroughly enjoyed each of the cities, the experiences, and the restaurant recommendations. All the hotels were comfortable, authentic, and the staffs worked very hard to make us feel very welcome. The guides to the person (especially Gaspar in Barcelona and Rafael in Sevilla) were all excellent and we learned so much in each place we visited. The customer service, including from... read more

First and foremost, thank you to Marina, our travel advisor, for putting together an amazing honeymoon for us! We thoroughly enjoyed each of the cities, the experiences, and the restaurant recommendations. All the hotels were comfortable, authentic, and the staffs worked very hard to make us feel very welcome. The guides to the person (especially Gaspar in Barcelona and Rafael in Sevilla) were all excellent and we learned so much in each place we visited. The customer service, including from Marina and those who covered for her on the weekend, was also excellent. We would definitely use Marina again for Spain next time we visit and kimkim for other countries. In all, thank you for helping us put together a memorable honeymoon. We will be forever grateful!

Activity Reviews
Tapas Culinary Experience
Madrid
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Flamenco Show
Granada
Quality of Experience
Day trip to Medieval Girona & Dali Museum in Figueras
Barcelona
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Aug 17, 2023

Hi Paul, thank you so so much for taking the time to write your trip review and your kind words! It has been a true pleasure helping you plan your Honeymoon trip to Spain. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your guide tours, I will make sure to pass your words on to our guides! I wish you can visit us in the future to discover new destinations, such as the North of Spain, or Portugal. My kindest regards, Marina from the Espiritu Travel family :)

The beautiful island of Madeira, a trip of a lifetime.
Portugal | Jul 16 - Jul 23, 2023

Kidianga
Kidianga T.
Biggs, CA | Reviewed on Aug 07, 2023

I had a wonderful and memorable time in Madeira, in particularly in Funchal. Marina did an exceptional job in selecting my hotels, activities, and guides. I spent three unforgettable days with Lido, from Green Devil Safari. I left the island with tears in my eyes because I wasn't sure that people as nice, accommodating, and generous as Lido still existed in this world. Both Marina and Lido were instrumental in creating memories that will last me a lifetime and beyond. I can't thank them... read more

I had a wonderful and memorable time in Madeira, in particularly in Funchal. Marina did an exceptional job in selecting my hotels, activities, and guides. I spent three unforgettable days with Lido, from Green Devil Safari. I left the island with tears in my eyes because I wasn't sure that people as nice, accommodating, and generous as Lido still existed in this world. Both Marina and Lido were instrumental in creating memories that will last me a lifetime and beyond. I can't thank them enough. I will be back to the island soon, and I won't hesitate to hire the services of Marina and hopefully Lino. I want to thank them both from the bottom of my heart. My vacation on the beautiful island of Madeira well exceeded my expectations. Thank you, Marina.

Hotel Reviews
Castanheiro Boutique Hotel
Funchal

The room was extremely clean. The location was perfect, and the staff was exceptional.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The fact that it was at a walking distance from the promenade.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Eira Do Serrado Hotel & Spa
Funchal
Authenticity & Character
The view into the Valley of the Nuns was exceptional.
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching
Portugal

It was unfortunate that we got to see the dolphins just for a brief moment but I understand that there are very elusive.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Aug 09, 2023

Hi Kidianga, thank you for your kind words and feedback! I am so happy to hear you had a wonderful time during your time in Madeira, the island is indeed a true paradise. I will pass on your kind words to Lido. I hope you created lovely memories for a lifetime discovering Madeira, its gastronomy, and its people! I look forward to working with you on your next travel adventure :) Best regards from the Espiritu Travel family!

Trip of a lifetime!
Portugal | Jul 6 - Jul 18, 2023

Laura
Laura O.
Wilmington, DE | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2023

Marina was a huge help from start to finish! My friend and I were so excited to visit Portugal and Marina took much of the stress out of all the planning. We had great private tours and excellent guides chosen for our many tours in the different places we went visit. We loved so many of the unique experiences provided on this trip, for example, the private tour of Tomar, the Peña Palace, our small group tour of Douro Valley, our private hike in the national park, and our jeep tour on the... read more

Marina was a huge help from start to finish! My friend and I were so excited to visit Portugal and Marina took much of the stress out of all the planning. We had great private tours and excellent guides chosen for our many tours in the different places we went visit. We loved so many of the unique experiences provided on this trip, for example, the private tour of Tomar, the Peña Palace, our small group tour of Douro Valley, our private hike in the national park, and our jeep tour on the Azores. There were a few bumps in the road as one of our tours was cut short in Sintra (two hours instead of 8) and one tour in Porto started at a different time than given. The hotels were well chosen for each location and close to many things that we wanted to see and experience. On the whole, I would definitely use Kimkim again for a trip in the future. Marina (and those coewas very quick to respond when there were any issues and helpful when we needed information. I appreciate all of the time and effort that went into the planning and organization of our Portugal trip! I will have memories for a lifetime!

Hotel Review
Premium Porto Downtown
Porto

Loved this hotel!! Great rooftop terrace to see the city, excellent breakfast, free snacks in the afternoon, and very clean and neat!

Authenticity & Character
Location
About 15 minute walk from the water but great city location!
Staff
Very helpful when needing to call places and get a taxi.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were kept clean and looked great!
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 20, 2023

Hi Laura, thank you for your kind words and the thorough feedback! I am so happy to hear you had a wonderful time during your time in Portugal. I will pass on your kind words to all the team. I hope you created lovely memories for a lifetime discovering Portugal, its gastronomy, and its people! I look forward to work with you on your next travel adventure :) Best regards, Marina.

We had an amazing and memorable trip to Spain...
Spain | Jun 9 - Jun 20, 2023

Tricia
Tricia Z.
Jollyville, TX | Reviewed on Jun 27, 2023

We had an amazing and memorable trip to Spain thanks to Marina! She was so wonderful to work with, very detailed, very thoughtful, and so patient with all of our requests and changes. All of Marina’s recommendations were five stars from restaurants to tours to cities, hotels, as well as well thought out travel arrangements that were most convenient. We first traveled to Madrid where our very kind personal driver took us to our first hotel. The hotel was in a central location next to Plaza... read more

We had an amazing and memorable trip to Spain thanks to Marina! She was so wonderful to work with, very detailed, very thoughtful, and so patient with all of our requests and changes. All of Marina’s recommendations were five stars from restaurants to tours to cities, hotels, as well as well thought out travel arrangements that were most convenient. We first traveled to Madrid where our very kind personal driver took us to our first hotel. The hotel was in a central location next to Plaza royale, the location was super convenient and within walking distance to all central Madrid attractions,. The breakfast was great at the hotel. The hotel rooms were a bit small for a family room, but it worked out OK. Our first tour of Madrid was with Antonio. He was a local. He was so knowledgeable and sweet. I believe we spent about four hours touring the city with him on a walking tour and we had a really great time. He made the tour wonderful We really loved the culture in Madrid and all the sites were definitely a highlight, the next city was Seville. Our hotel was only about a 15 minute walk from the Cathedral of Seville, which was so fascinating. There were many restaurants and shops near the cathedral and it was an area we spent quite a bit of time around. We had a bike tour of the city’s main attractions with Fernando , he was the best we had so much fun. The bike tour was totally relaxing and enjoyable and we got to see all the highlights of the city. Another great tour that marina recommended. We also had a cooking class that we took and learned to make local Spain dishes. We shopped at the local market and had a really great time. Highly recommended . Our hotel was super nice and comfortable in a central location and definitely offer the best breakfast of all the hotels we stayed in . Marina recommended really fantastic restaurants and made all of our dinner reservations, and in each city we stayed in, our teenage daughters would ask did Marina make that dinner reservation?… as they knew if she made the reservation it was going to be good . The third city we visited was a day trip to Toledo. We ended up taking a taxi instead of the train that marina recommended simply because we were tired and just wanted to get there and the drive was not too far. We did pay extra but decided on the convenience over the price. Toledo was a lot of fun. We really enjoyed our day there and we were so happy that Marina recommended this day trip, another highlight on our trip. Our next city was Granada. On our way to Granada we had a private driver take us to Caminito del Rey, where we did a 5 mile hike through the canyon. This was a beautiful hike. It was a mellow but long hike, guided, something not to miss… the only negative to this was we were hiking in the heat of the day and we did all get super overheated by the end of the hike. I think next time we would want to do it early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day otherwise well worth it so beautiful, highly recommended. We then arrived to Grenada, which was one of our favorite little cities and absolutely our favorite boutique hotel. We only stayed two nights in Grenada and we all had wished we were there for three nights, we stayed in the historic San Pedro district. Our hotel could not have been a better location. It was quiet and a bit off the main path and close to everything . The rooms were big we had plenty of room to spread out, super comfortable. We saw a very memorable flamenco show in a cave in the historical gypsy neighborhood,.., we once again had wonderful local meals. It was really fun to shop there and walk around the town. We had the best view of the Seville castle from our hotel room. I apologize I’m not giving all the formal names as I do not have the itinerary right in front of me. Granada was a favorite stop and honestly difficult to leave. Our last stop was a flight to Barcelona…. while we didn’t wanna get back on a plane it was the best and fastest route to Barcelona from Granada. Barcelona is a huge international hub, really an amazing city with lots to offer, Marina made reservations at all the best restaurants of course, our hotel had a City Terrace rooftop view that we spent quite a bit of time relaxing on enjoying wine, very nice hotel rooms, small but nice and decent breakfasts. It was a central location where we could walk everywhere… we loved visiting La Sagrada Familia and the Picasso museum, there were so many sites to see in Barcelona we didn’t get to them all. We did cancel a day trip which we really wanted to do but our teenage girls were very tired so still on our bucket list to see more of Barcelona as well in the surrounding areas. On our last night we ended vacation with a Sunset sail boat cruise in the Mediterranean with a guitar concert, it was a really nice end to an amazing trip. All thanks to Marina. Our experience with Marina and Kim Kim has been nothing short of perfect and we will certainly be planning future vacations with Kimkim. We highly recommend Marina as well. She was so patient and so responsive, she thought of everything, we loved working with her. The Trip App was the most convenient itinerary we have ever used, so easy too.

Hotel Reviews
Petit Palace Posada del Peine
Madrid

Super convenient location to the plaza Royale and all Madrid attractions rooms were super small though

Authenticity & Character
Historical and we had a lovely balcony
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Petit Palace Puerta de Triana
Seville

This hotel had very nice rooms. They were small, but super nice and clean and this hotel offered the best breakfast of all the places we stayed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Super convenient location close to everything within walking distance, especially the Seville Cathedral
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palacio de Santa Inés Hotel
Granada

I can’t say enough about this hotel. This was our favorite hotel of all places we stayed. The rooms were super big the hotel was very historical. The views were amazing. The location was fantastic and within walking distance to everything.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Yurbban Ramblas Boutique Hotel
Barceolona

This was a nice hotel and a central location. The rooms were super updated and nice small but very nice. Our favorite feature of this hotel was the rooftop terrace. It was so beautiful. They offered a mini bar and snacks and there was plenty of seating. The hotel was also very centrally located within walking distance to many things.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Visit of Madrid: History, Culture & Architecture of the Capital of Spain
Madrid

Antonio was the best we really enjoyed our tour with him. He was a local and New so much and he was so friendly and fun to spend time with.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private City Bike Tour
Seville

Fernando was the best we had a really great time on this bike tour. We saw so many attractions that we otherwise would not have seen. It was a relaxing chill experience so much fun Fernando was so kind the bikes for super comfortable. It was definitely a highlight.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Traditional Andalusian Market Visit & Cooking Class
Seville

Another great experience we learned local recipes, and had a fantastic time touring the market. This event was so much fun.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Caminito del Rey
Spain

This was really a beautiful, breathtaking experience. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our driver, Antonio was the best he took us from Seville to the hike and then on to Granada. He was exceptional and when we got off the hike and we were overheated, he was right there with an air-conditioned, comfortable car awaiting us. It was perfect.
Flamenco Show
Granada

This was such a memorable experience. We were in the prime location of history for flamingo shows in a cave in the old gypsy district. The musicians and flamenco dancers were incredible. What a memorable experience we had.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Easy and scenic walk from our hotel
Barcelona Sailboat Experience & Spanish Guitar Concert
Barcelona

This was a nice close to a wonderful and memorable trip. The Mediterranean was quite choppy that day, so it definitely added some spark to the boat ride, but we also cruise through the bay, which was very calm are skipper was so sweet and we had a guitarist who never missed a beat despite some waves out in the Mediterranean the views were amazing and we all had a wonderful time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 29, 2023

Hi Tricia, first of all, WOW, thank you so so much for taking the time to write such a detailed review and your kind words! It has been a true pleasure helping you plan your family trip to Spain. I am glad to hear you enjoyed all your tours and restaurant recommendations, hopefully you tried a bit of all Spanish gastronomy :)

Indeed Palacio Santa Inés Hotel is a fantastic accommodation and has a great location. The view of the Alhambra is just breathtaking! Spain is a wonderful country but... read more

Hi Tricia, first of all, WOW, thank you so so much for taking the time to write such a detailed review and your kind words! It has been a true pleasure helping you plan your family trip to Spain. I am glad to hear you enjoyed all your tours and restaurant recommendations, hopefully you tried a bit of all Spanish gastronomy :)

Indeed Palacio Santa Inés Hotel is a fantastic accommodation and has a great location. The view of the Alhambra is just breathtaking! Spain is a wonderful country but it is even more so when travelers see it with your eyes and enjoy it as you have. I will pass your kind words to all the team :)

I hope you come back soon to Spain to visit Córdoba and Montserrat, you always have to leave something to come back! Again, thank you SO much for this impressive feedback on your trip, I will be more than happy to work with you again in the future for the next adventure! Best regards, Marina.

Marina did a fantastic job on our entire trip...
Portugal | Jun 2 - Jun 14, 2023

Georgianne
Georgianne G.
Spring Hill, TN | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2023

Marina did a fantastic job on our entire trip and we loved all of the planned activities and outings

The wine trip and private cooking class were fantastic!

All transportation services were on time a so nice.

Marina provided personal customized service and even helped me get my sunglasses that were left at the hotel in Porto shipped to our next hotel. Her service is excellent read more

Marina did a fantastic job on our entire trip and we loved all of the planned activities and outings

The wine trip and private cooking class were fantastic!

All transportation services were on time a so nice.

Marina provided personal customized service and even helped me get my sunglasses that were left at the hotel in Porto shipped to our next hotel. Her service is excellent

Hotel Reviews
Porto Charming Hotel
Porto

Breakfast was nice every day. The hotel staff was nice and the property was very clean. Also the location was convenient to everything

Authenticity & Character
Location
3 blocks from the main area
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Dear Lisbon Bordalo House
Lisboa

Excellent location. Rooms were generous and we had a double balcony view of our area

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tivoli Lagos
Lagos

This was a resort property that was very nice. Breakfast was yummy every day. The staff were very helpful

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Be Poet Baixa Hotel
Lisbon

Only there for 1 night. It is close the the main city area.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

Our guide was great and the stops were fantastic. We got a great overview of the food and wine of Portugal

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Porto Cooking Class
Porto

What a great activity! Our chef was fantastic and we had a great time

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

Wow! Is all I can say. An absolute must do! Our guide was fantastic!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra
Portugal

Our driver was great!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Evening of Fado
Lisbon

Very nice dinner and Fado. Room was a little warm

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

A bit quick and could have been a little more time seeing sights. It was a good overview of the old city but could have been a little more in depth.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Catamaran Trip to Benagil Caves
Portugal

The trip was great and views amazing. Crew of catamaran was super nice. Had drinks and snacks available and provided water activity equipment as well

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Algarve Sunset Experience
Portugal

This was the perfect end to our trip! Site’s beautiful and our guide great

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 16, 2023

Hi Georgianne, thank you for your kind words and the thorough feedback! I am so happy to hear you had a wonderful time during your time in Portugal, all your photos are fantastic! I will pass on your kid words to all the team. I hope you created lovely memories for a lifetime discovering Portugal, its gastronomy, and its people! It's been a pleasure to work with you on this amazing trip :) Best regards, Marina.

Verify Events
Spain | May 17 - May 25, 2023

Stephen
Stephen Z.
Sarasota, FL | Reviewed on May 27, 2023

Entire trip met our expectations regarding hotel quality, logistics and service by Marina and The Espiritu team.

Our issues were all with booked events.
The coordinator, Carlos, for the Alhambra tour directed us to stand alone at the wrong meeting point without asking a question. Then he failed to look for us while we stood only 15 meters away. Luckily, we found Edo in the Alhambra and had a great experience.
The flamenco show started 30 minutes before our scheduled time.
The tapas tour started 30 minutes after our scheduled time.

Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 01, 2023

Hi Steve, thank you so much for taking the time to write your trip review! It has been a real pleasure working with you on the design and planning of your trip to Spain. The flamenco changed their starting time and did not notify us so we could not let you know about the change of the starting time, I will refund you the activity as it is unacceptable. Regarding the incident with the Alhambra, it is indeed difficult to find your guide with all the travelers meeting their guide at the same... read more

Hi Steve, thank you so much for taking the time to write your trip review! It has been a real pleasure working with you on the design and planning of your trip to Spain. The flamenco changed their starting time and did not notify us so we could not let you know about the change of the starting time, I will refund you the activity as it is unacceptable. Regarding the incident with the Alhambra, it is indeed difficult to find your guide with all the travelers meeting their guide at the same time. Unfortunately, the Alhambra does not let any guide to have a company logo and this makes the task of finding your guide more difficult. I appreciate your feedback and I hope that despite these incidents you had a wonderful trip in Spain :) I look forward to working with you in the future. Warmest regards, Marina

Portugal is truly amazing!
Portugal | May 9 - May 19, 2023

Patricia
Patricia F.
Auburn, MA | Reviewed on May 24, 2023

Our recent trip to Portugal was amazing and exceeded our expectations! The trip started in Porto, and our hotel was nice, our city/culinary tour with Angela was great! We enjoyed the market, oldest restaurant in Porto, and all the food and knowledge that Angela shared with us. Emanuel was a great follow up and shared his perspective of the city , allowing us to explore on our own afterwards. Wilson and the Douro Valley tour was a true highlight with lunch at Maos vineyard. We can hardly wait... read more

Our recent trip to Portugal was amazing and exceeded our expectations! The trip started in Porto, and our hotel was nice, our city/culinary tour with Angela was great! We enjoyed the market, oldest restaurant in Porto, and all the food and knowledge that Angela shared with us. Emanuel was a great follow up and shared his perspective of the city , allowing us to explore on our own afterwards. Wilson and the Douro Valley tour was a true highlight with lunch at Maos vineyard. We can hardly wait for our wine to be shipped!
Marina really listened to what we wanted and the Portugal Boutique Hotel was a pleasure to stay in. Tony took us to Fatima on the way which we really appreciated. While in Lisbon, we had a great tour of the city, explored on our own, and were taken by Marta to the castle, stopped to look at cork trees, and finished the day at a roadside restaurant for a delicious lunch. With Marta, we felt as if we were with a friend showing us her country.
Final trip to Lagos in our rental was without incident, and we marveled at the landscape. Our final hotel was just gorgeous and we could not have been happier! Food, wine, and catamaran trip just highlighted the beautiful country of Portugal.
Final review? This trip was absolutely beyond our expectations on all levels! It checked all the boxes for us and we were sad to leave! Thank you to Marina for making it happen for us!

Hotel Reviews
The Editory House Ribeira
Porto

Nice minimalistic hotel. Very helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Portugal Boutique Hotel
Lisbon

Great large room with all the comfort of home!

Authenticity & Character
Location
One block from square. Near everything.
Staff
Helpful, prompt!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Vivenda Miranda
Lagos

What a beautiful hotel and perfect location!

Authenticity & Character
Great good, great service, beautiful rooms!
Location
The views were incredible!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
TRYP Lisboa Aeroporto
Lisbon

Walkable from airport, nice quiet room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

No need for dinner after this experience. Wonderful, great tour all around!

Quality of Experience
So much to see, do, eat and drink !
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Angela was a great guide and took really good care of us. She shared life experiences and was very knowledgeable!
Privately Guided Visit of Porto
Porto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Porto

Nelson was a lot of fun and knowledgeable. He changed our Douro River Cruise to happen prior to our tastings which was fine but the boat was full and we had to sit inside. Still great views though. Our tastings were wonderful and lunch at Maos Vineyard was beyond expectations! The owner Rafael joined us in his dining room and the food and wine was excellent! Can’t say enough about the whole experience! Fantastic!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Day Excursion to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Lisbon

Great trip to Peña Palace, Sintra and lunch at roadside cafe!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Marta was excellent, very knowledgeable about the towns, the surrounding area. She shared her life story with us, made us feel like friends, and made stops along the way to look at cork trees, visit a fire station, and enjoy a regional lunch. Great day!
Transport
Catamaran Trip to Benagil Caves
Portugal

Nice ride, attentive crew, great views of the caves from the ocean. Little bit too cold for us to swim but others took advantage.

Quality of Experience
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra
Portugal

We changed the stop and visited Fatima instead. Tony was a good driver who was very agreeable!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

Good walk about in Lisbon with a stop to taste some Eduardino!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 01, 2023

Hi Patricia, thank you so much for taking the time to write this fantastic review and include your trip pictures! It has been a real pleasure working with you on the design and planning of your trip to Portugal and I am delighted to hear you have enjoyed every moment of your trip. I will pass your kind words to all the team :) Again, thank you SO much for this impressive feedback on your trip, I will be more than happy to work with you again in the future for the next adventure! Warmest regards, Marina

Amazing experience working with Marina!!
Spain | May 2 - May 11, 2023

Allison
Allison K.
Huntington Park, CA | Reviewed on May 22, 2023

I had the absolute pleasure of working with Marina at KimKim to plan our honeymoon to Spain, and I cannot express enough how grateful we are for her exceptional expertise and incredible dedication. Marina made the entire process a breeze, taking away any worries or stress that we had about planning a trip to a country we had never visited before.

From the very beginning, Marina's warmth and professionalism shone through. As first-time international travelers, my husband and I were feeling... read more

I had the absolute pleasure of working with Marina at KimKim to plan our honeymoon to Spain, and I cannot express enough how grateful we are for her exceptional expertise and incredible dedication. Marina made the entire process a breeze, taking away any worries or stress that we had about planning a trip to a country we had never visited before.

From the very beginning, Marina's warmth and professionalism shone through. As first-time international travelers, my husband and I were feeling a bit overwhelmed by the logistics and intricacies of planning a honeymoon. However, Marina's extensive knowledge and experience put us at ease. She patiently listened to our desires and aspirations for our honeymoon and took the time to truly understand what we were looking for.

We explained to Marina that we wanted a romantic and immersive experience, where we could truly soak in the beauty of Spain's nature, architecture, and culture. And let me tell you, she exceeded all our expectations. Marina's deep understanding of the country, combined with her innate creativity, resulted in a meticulously crafted itinerary that catered perfectly to our desires.

One of the aspects that made working with Marina truly outstanding was her invaluable insider knowledge as a native Spaniard. This added a level of authenticity and depth to our trip that we would not have achieved otherwise. Marina was able to suggest activities and private tours that were "off the beaten path," allowing us to uncover hidden gems and experience Spain in a way that felt more intimate and personal.

In fact, two of our most memorable experiences during the honeymoon were activities that Marina initially suggested, and at first, we weren't particularly drawn to them. She encouraged us to visit a Sevillan olive oil estate, where we learned about the intricate process of olive oil production and indulged in a tasting that left our taste buds dancing with delight. Additionally, Marina arranged for a private tour of Granada's St. John of God Basilica and St. Bruno Monastery, led by the remarkable Ruth. We were completely captivated by Ruth's deep knowledge of history, art, religion, and culture, and her engaging storytelling and sense of humor made our tour truly enchanting.

Throughout our journey, we were continually impressed by the quality of the tour guides Marina had in her network. Each guide was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also passionate about sharing their love for their respective regions. They went above and beyond to ensure that our experiences were immersive, informative, and truly unforgettable.

Thanks to Marina's impeccable planning, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication, we had the honeymoon of our dreams. Every aspect of the trip, from the carefully selected accommodations to the seamless transportation arrangements, worked harmoniously to create an experience that exceeded our wildest imaginations.

As we reflect on our time in Spain, one thing is certain: Marina's expertise and guidance were instrumental in making our honeymoon an unforgettable journey. Her professionalism, creativity, and genuine care for our experience truly set her apart. We are eternally grateful for her tireless efforts in crafting a trip that perfectly encapsulated our desires and allowed us to fall even more deeply in love with Spain.

In the future, without a doubt, Marina at KimKim will be our go-to resource for all our travel needs in Spain. Her unparalleled expertise, unwavering commitment to excellence, and ability to create personalized and extraordinary experiences make her an invaluable asset for anyone seeking an unforgettable adventure in this captivating country.

Thank you, Marina, for curating a honeymoon beyond our wildest dreams. Your passion, dedication, and exceptional service have left an indelible mark on our hearts, and we eagerly look forward to our next adventure with you at the helm.

Activity Reviews
Visit an Andalusian Olive Oil Estate
Seville
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided visit of Monasterio Cartuja and Basilica de San Juan de Dios
Granada

Marina arranged for a private tour of Granada's St. John of God Basilica and St. Bruno Monastery, led by the remarkable Ruth. We were completely captivated by Ruth's deep knowledge of history, art, religion, and culture, and her engaging storytelling and sense of humor made our tour truly enchanting. Our experience with Ruth was one of the highlights of our honeymoon, as we learned so much from her!! 10/10 recommend Ruth for all tourists visiting Granada!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 01, 2023

Hi Allison, first of all, WOW, I have no words to thank you for this fantastic review! It has been a real pleasure working with you on the design and planning of your Honeymoon and I am delighted to hear you have enjoyed every moment of your trip. Spain is a wonderful country but it is even more so when travelers see it with your eyes and enjoy it as you have. I will pass your kind words to all the team :) Again, thank you SO much for this impressive feedback on your trip, I will be more than happy to work with you again in the future for the next adventure! Warmest regards, Marina

Great trip well organized Marina is amazing
Portugal | Apr 23 - May 5, 2023

George
George N.
Canada | Reviewed on May 16, 2023

Great trip well organized Marina is amazing

Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 01, 2023

Hi George, thank you for taking the time to submit your review and to include so many good photos from your trip :) I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed your time in Portugal to the fullest! Let me know if you want to come to Portugal again or visit Spain. Warmest regards, Marina

Amazing trip to the Dominican Republic
the Dominican Republic | Apr 20 - Apr 25, 2023

Arlette
Arlette V.
Lutz, FL | Reviewed on May 02, 2023

Our trip to the Dominican Republic was amazing thanks to Kimkim and our local travel specialist Marina. The trip was well-planned and customized appropriately to our needs and wishes. This service allowed us a stress-free trip preparation experience and enabled us to enjoy traveling to a country where we we not fluent in the language. All of our accommodations, drivers and excursions were awesome! We got the authentic travel experience we wanted, and learned so much about Dominican history... read more

Our trip to the Dominican Republic was amazing thanks to Kimkim and our local travel specialist Marina. The trip was well-planned and customized appropriately to our needs and wishes. This service allowed us a stress-free trip preparation experience and enabled us to enjoy traveling to a country where we we not fluent in the language. All of our accommodations, drivers and excursions were awesome! We got the authentic travel experience we wanted, and learned so much about Dominican history and culture during our stay. We much appreciated the included meals, which featured nutritious, locally grown products, and enabled us to sample Dominican cuisine.

An important note to mention however is, if you are like us, and want to support small local businesses, it is good to come prepared with a mindset on what you want to purchase or how much you can spend prior to entering shopping spaces, and being prepared to negotiate on price (or even politely say no). Although the majority of the vendors we encountered were easy-going and helpful, several of the vendors at Tres Ojos National Park were overly aggressive and tried to overcharge for their products. Being prepared for this and having basic level Spanish helps the traveler immensely in these situations. This was a minor issue however, and did not detract from what was an overall great trip to the stunning Tres Ojos limestone caves.

Our most memorable excursion was the hike adventure to El Limon Waterfall, where the views were breath-taking. We were fortunate to have a wonderful guide Andres, who took great care of us on this challenging trek through the forest and rocky landscapes.

Our day trip to Playa Rincon and Caño Frio was also memorable for the natural beauty of the Samana region and our knowledgeable guide Frank, who gave us a wealth of information on Dominican life. This was a relaxing way to spend the last day of our trip.

On the last morning of our trip, we encountered a problem when our driver had car trouble and was not able to pick us up for transport to the airport. It was a simple process for us to contact our travel specialist Marina, who came through for us and arranged for an alternate driver (Cabayeron), who was diligent about getting us to the airport safely and on time. Kudos to Marina for exceptional local travel specialist support during this trip. We love the Kimkim business philosophy and would definitely use Kimkim again for future trips. We whole-heartedly recommend Kimkim to other travelers.

Hotel Reviews
Hodelpa Caribe Colonial
Santo Domingo

Great hotel for a stay in Santo Domingo. It is conveniently located in the Colonial Zone area with many restaurants and historic places to visit within walking distance. Our room was clean and comfortable. Hotel front desk staff were professional and very responsive to our needs. Complimentary breakfasts were delightful and featured many local dishes.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mosquito Boutique Hotel
Las Terrenas

Mosquito Boutique was delightful place to stay. Located right on the beach, the views were exquisite, especially at sunrise and sunset. The onsite restaurant was very convenient for dinners, and also provided an awesome daily breakfast for hotel guests. The overall vibe of the place was very relaxed and friendly, and hotel staff were very accommodating. Our room was clean and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Los Tres Ojos National Park Excursion
Santo Domingo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike Adventure to El Limón Waterfall
Samaná
Quality of Experience
Food
The Dominican lunch provided by Restaurante Santi after our hike was awesome!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day excursion to Playa Rincón
Samaná
Quality of Experience
Food
The local lunch provided onsite at the beach was wonderful.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on May 12, 2023

Hi Arlette, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed trip review! I will pass your kind words to the rest of the team :) I appreciate your comments about your experience at Los Tres Ojos National Park, I will make sure to warn the travelers more about this matter. It has been a pleasure helping you plan this fantastic trip to the Dominican Republic. I am happy to hear you had a great time and liked all your activities. The Dominican Republic is truly a unique destination and I am happy you got to see and experience the true essence of the island. Warmest regards, Marina

Fantastic trip through Spain!
Spain | Apr 15 - Apr 26, 2023

Bronwyn
Bronwyn W.
New Zealand | Reviewed on Apr 27, 2023

Amazing trip! Guides that deserve special mention were Teresa, our bike tour guide in Seville and Vincente our guide at the Alhambra. read more

Amazing trip! Guides that deserve special mention were Teresa, our bike tour guide in Seville and Vincente our guide at the Alhambra.

Hotel Reviews
Only YOU Hotel Atocha
Madrid

Great location opposite train station.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Opposite train station
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Smart Suites Albaicin Apartments
Granada
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private City Bike Tour
Seville

Very good tour with Teresa. Great having a local showing us around. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Tour of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens
Spain

Needed more information about where to meet our guide. We didn't have a voucher and were told where the meeting place was. There were so many guides and it was confusing trying to find which group we were with.

Valencia Urban Wine and Tapas Tour
Valencia

Guide Maria was lovely but didn't have much information about us or what we were expecting from the tour. From our perspective, we thought we'd be part of a bigger group going to a variety of tapas bars. We enjoyed the tour, due to our lovely guide, but probably needed more information about this tour.

Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Apr 28, 2023

Hi Bronwyn! Thank you so much for taking the time to write your trip review! I will pass on your kind words to all the team :) Thank you for sharing your comments about the meeting point in Alhambra and the Valencia food tour. We never include a voucher of the Alhambra tickets as your guide has the tickets but we will make sure to be more clear about where to meet. It has been a true pleasure helping your plan your trip to Spain and I hope you come back to discover other cities of Spain! Warmes regards, Marina

The guides we had were all excellent and most...
Portugal | Apr 17 - Apr 26, 2023

L
Lee H.
South Burlington, VT | Reviewed on Apr 27, 2023

The guides we had were all excellent and most of all very kind. Marina did a great job for us. The only hotel that we found to be just ok was the Don Carlos. Uber drivers we contacted for a ride to some of our tours did not want to come to our hotel but asked us to come out to a very busy circle. The problem with that was that we had no internet out there and had a difficult time identifying our drivers. The traffic around the Don Carlos is very congested. We might have preferred staying... read more

The guides we had were all excellent and most of all very kind. Marina did a great job for us. The only hotel that we found to be just ok was the Don Carlos. Uber drivers we contacted for a ride to some of our tours did not want to come to our hotel but asked us to come out to a very busy circle. The problem with that was that we had no internet out there and had a difficult time identifying our drivers. The traffic around the Don Carlos is very congested. We might have preferred staying closer to the start of our food and walking tours.
We were challenged by driving directions. Our GPS in the rental car did not work. Because we are of a certain age this was our first time traveling with our phone as our primary guide. My understanding is that Portugal Trails does map out your trip with specific directions via GPS which would have been helpful. My big takeaway from Portugal was the kindness of the Portuguese people.

Hotel Reviews
Évora Olive Hotel
Evora

Loved this hotel. It was not about old world character which we very much appreciate but it is very modern and a great hotel.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
1872 River House
Porto

Lots of character. Great location. Our rooms quite small and tight. Other rooms looked larger.

Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Apr 28, 2023

Hi Lee! Thank you so much for taking the time to write your trip review! I will pass on your kind words to all the team :) Thank you for sharing your comments about the difficulties you had finding your way to the Douro Valley and Don Carlos Park Hotel. On your travel documents, I always include the Google Map link to your driving route so you can download the route in advance on your phone and follow the directions without internet but I should have been more informative about this to... read more

Hi Lee! Thank you so much for taking the time to write your trip review! I will pass on your kind words to all the team :) Thank you for sharing your comments about the difficulties you had finding your way to the Douro Valley and Don Carlos Park Hotel. On your travel documents, I always include the Google Map link to your driving route so you can download the route in advance on your phone and follow the directions without internet but I should have been more informative about this to facilitate the drive. Indeed the best part of visiting a new place is their culture and people, it is the best souvenir. It has been a true pleasure helping your plan your trip to Portugal and I hope you come back to discover other cities of Spain! Warmes regards, Marina

Enjoyed Madrid
Spain | Apr 17 - Apr 25, 2023

Kimberly
Kimberly J.
North Chicopee, MA | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2023

Our trip to Madrid and Barcelona included several great private and small group tours which were almost all very kid-friendly and enjoyable. Our Boqueria tour and paella cooking class was the most engaging and fun, while our tour with Matt to Costa Brava and Girona was a beautiful and relaxing chance to visit the quieter parts of Catalunya. Our Madrid hotel was great and centrally located, while our Barcelona hotel was located in a grafitti-filled neighborhood with tons of homeless people... read more

Our trip to Madrid and Barcelona included several great private and small group tours which were almost all very kid-friendly and enjoyable. Our Boqueria tour and paella cooking class was the most engaging and fun, while our tour with Matt to Costa Brava and Girona was a beautiful and relaxing chance to visit the quieter parts of Catalunya. Our Madrid hotel was great and centrally located, while our Barcelona hotel was located in a grafitti-filled neighborhood with tons of homeless people which was a bit of a long walk from all attractions. Overall, everyone enjoyed Madrid and the day trips to Toledo and other smaller cities the most.

Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Apr 27, 2023

Hi Kimberly (and family)! It has been a pleasure to prepare your family trip to Spain and I am glad to hear you all had a great time, I will pass your kind words to all the team. I appreciate your comment about the hotel in Barcelona, I chose that hotel so you were close to the beach for the kids but it was not the best choice. Despite this, I am happy to hear all the family enjoyed the trip and I wish to see you soon in Spain! Warmest regards, Marina

Best trip to Spain!
Spain | Mar 5 - Mar 12, 2023

A
Alyssa K.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2023

Marina planned an excellent trip to Spain that was truly off the beaten path! For all of our excursions, we had local guides who were personable, knowledgeable, and extraordinarily helpful for any questions we had or recommendations for places to eat. We greatly enjoyed our bike tour of Barcelona that hit many of the famous Gaudi houses, our small group tour of Montserrat accompanied by a wine tour, our private tour of La Sagrada Familia, our cooking class where we made paella, and multiple... read more

Marina planned an excellent trip to Spain that was truly off the beaten path! For all of our excursions, we had local guides who were personable, knowledgeable, and extraordinarily helpful for any questions we had or recommendations for places to eat. We greatly enjoyed our bike tour of Barcelona that hit many of the famous Gaudi houses, our small group tour of Montserrat accompanied by a wine tour, our private tour of La Sagrada Familia, our cooking class where we made paella, and multiple private walking tours that got us quickly acclimated to each city we visited! Marina was always available for any questions we had and offered additional recommendations for places to go and eat.

Hotel Review
7 Islas Hotel
Madrid

Wonderful hotel. The room was clean, comfortable, and stylish. The bathroom included a great selection of soaps and hair products. Breakfast was delicious and included! Good proximity to the center of Madrid and numerous restaurants, bars, and attractions were within walking distance.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Mar 21, 2023

Hi Alyssa, thank you so much for taking the time to write your trip review! I am thrilled to hear you had such a marvelous time in Spain. It was my pleasure to work with you and organize this experience for you and Nisha. I will pass on your kind word to all the team :) Hotel 7 Islas is one of my favorite hotels in Madrid as is difficult to find a local and small hotel like that in such a big city, the hotel director is actually the granddaughter of the hotel's original owner! I look forward to welcoming you back in Spain. Warmest regards, Marina

Everything we hoped for!
Spain | Aug 26 - Sep 5, 2022

Elisha
Elisha T.
Laguna Beach, CA | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2023

Our trip was everything we had hoped it would be and Marina made it happen! I had a very limited amount of time to plan this trip and she made herself available to answer any questions or concerns we had. I will absolutely use kimkim again and highly recommend it. Marina is the icing on the cake!

Response time while in Spain was also exceptional. We had a couple of questions during our travels and we received help almost instantly.

Thank you for making our trip so memorable! read more

Our trip was everything we had hoped it would be and Marina made it happen! I had a very limited amount of time to plan this trip and she made herself available to answer any questions or concerns we had. I will absolutely use kimkim again and highly recommend it. Marina is the icing on the cake!

Response time while in Spain was also exceptional. We had a couple of questions during our travels and we received help almost instantly.

Thank you for making our trip so memorable!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel España Ramblas
Barcelona

Don't recommend. Location is good but that's it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
in the center of the gothic quarter
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Windows fogged and mold. bathrooms not comfortable and could be cleaner. Not great
Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona
Barcelona

Perfect location in Barcelona. Safe, friendly, beautiful, clean. We'd love to visit again. They treated us like royalty! Food was terrific as well.

Authenticity & Character
They keep true to the history and it's exceptionally maintained
Location
Staff
Can't compliment enough
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Aigua Blava
Costa Brava · Girona

Beautiful location and private beach. Very helpful staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beach! Views!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean, comfortable. I wish they had more food options. Breakfast was great but after our first night, we left for meals elsewhere. Only drink service at pool. It would be awesome if they offered some kind of food service poolside instead of chips and prepackaged icecream.
Activity Reviews
Day Trip to Montserrat & Penedès Region Wine Tasting
Barcelona

Our guide made it special for us. Super friendly. Llopart winery was very fun!

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking Excursion
Spain

Guide was great! Beautiful day and plenty of time to jump off of rocks and swim. Beautiful way to experience the seaside of Spain and it's ocean wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jan 20, 2023

Hi Elisha, thank you so much for taking the time to write your trip review! I am thrilled to hear you and your family had such a marvelous time in Spain. It was my pleasure to work with you and organize this experience for your family. I will pass on your kind word to all the team :) I am sorry to hear that your experience at the Hotel España Ramblas was not pleasant, we have worked with this hotel before and always had good feedback so I will let the hotel know about your comments since it is unnaceptable. Thank you again for letting us be a small part of your trip :) Warmest regards, Marina

Fabulous Trip to Spain thanks to Marina and kimkim!
Spain | Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2022

K
Kathleen L.
Evanston, IL | Reviewed on Jan 02, 2023

We’ve traveled extensively through Europe and always planned our own trips but we didn’t have time to plan this year. Luckily we found kimkim which focuses on independent travelers.

Our journey started in Barcelona. We flew to southern Spain rented a car and stayed in Granada, Seville and ended our trip in Madrid.

Marina planned a wonderful trip for us. From the moment we started planning and throughout the actual trip Marina and her team were very responsive and always available to... read more

We’ve traveled extensively through Europe and always planned our own trips but we didn’t have time to plan this year. Luckily we found kimkim which focuses on independent travelers.

Our journey started in Barcelona. We flew to southern Spain rented a car and stayed in Granada, Seville and ended our trip in Madrid.

Marina planned a wonderful trip for us. From the moment we started planning and throughout the actual trip Marina and her team were very responsive and always available to answer any questions.

All the activities Marina organized went off beautifully. The guides we had for each walking tour of the cities were on time and excellent.

In Barcelona we enjoyed a tapas dinner and Marina got us excellent seats at a concert in the marvelous Palau Música and tickets to Gaudi locations.

Loved the Scents tour of Granada and all the recommendations given of what to do and where to eat in each city. We had a particular interest in Pedro Almadovar and Marina provided lots of information from film locations to where he lived and personal background.

The app was incredibly helpful and easy to use so all four of us knew the itinerary. The tickets were easy to pull up in the app and guides phone numbers available.

Thank you Marina for all your help. We look forward to using kimkim again.

Hotel Reviews
Midtown Apartments
Barcelona
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments - Madrid Suites
Madrid
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chez Moi - Plaza Nueva Luxury Apartment
Granada

Incredible views of Alhambra from apartment and rooftop. Meticulously cleaned. Management very helpful. Loved this place.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Luz de Sevilla Apartment
Seville
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Tapas Culinary Experience
Barcelona
Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona
Guided Visit of Granada Through Its Scents
Granada
Tour of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens
Spain
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Flamenco Show
Granada
Quality of Experience
Guided Visit of Seville
Seville
Self Drive {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Córdoba
Spain

Cordoba is a wonderful stop along the way to Madrid.

Guided Visit of Toledo
Spain

Take this day trip. High speed train excellent. Cathedral fabulous. Toledo incredible.

Guided Visit of Madrid: History, Culture & Architecture of the Capital of Spain
Madrid
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jan 04, 2023

Hi Kathleen, thank you so much for taking the time to write your trip review! I am thrilled to hear you and your family had such a marvelous time in Spain. It was my pleasure to work with you and organize this experience for your family. I even learn my self some interesting facts about Almodovar when preparing your travel documents ;) I will pass on your kind word to all the team. Thank you again for letting us be a small part of your trip :) Warmest regards, Marina

Great experience- planning and traveling
Spain | Sep 5 - Sep 28, 2022

B
Brian P.
Walnut Creek, CA | Reviewed on Dec 04, 2022

Great experience- everything met or exceeded our expectations. Marina and staff were accessible and responsive to any questions or concerns during the planning and the trip itself. We loved our custom itinerary and the travel app they provided us for the trip. We’ve recommended Kimkim to a number of family and friends. read more

Great experience- everything met or exceeded our expectations. Marina and staff were accessible and responsive to any questions or concerns during the planning and the trip itself. We loved our custom itinerary and the travel app they provided us for the trip. We’ve recommended Kimkim to a number of family and friends.

Hotel Review
Parador de Ronda
Ronda

Beautiful and spacious, best location,- probably the nicest hotel we stayed in Spain

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Dec 09, 2022

Hi Brian! Thank you so much for taking the time to write your trip review and for your kind words to the entire team!! I'm really happy you enjoyed your time discovering our country and hope you created lovely memories. I am glad you liked el Parador de Ronda hotel, it is indeed a beautiful hotel and has the best location in Ronda. Thank you again for letting us be a small part of your trip :) Warmest regards, Marina