Across Portugal

My husband and I have never used a service like KimKim before when planning a vacation itinerary, and we are so glad we did. After being welcomed so warmly by Across Portugal, however, the bar has now been set very high for the future, for we feel very spoiled indeed. From the moment we arrived in Portugal, we were greeted and received with white-glove hospitality. Everyone we encountered provided such thoughtful and thorough service, working tirelessly to make sure that our experience ran smoothly. We truly felt cared for at every moment; every detail for our stay had been considered, from our name prominently displayed by our driver at the airport to the welcome box full of local treats in our hotel room to the printed tickets for our excursions and timely check-ins every afternoon. I have never had so many doors opened for me. We felt like royalty!

Throughout our trip, we received immediate, friendly and thorough support from the team at Across Portugal, and they graciously answered all of our questions, no matter how trivial or random. It was a true delight to experience the country through the eyes of those who live there; our drivers and walking guides were exemplary professionals, but most of all we appreciated the depth of their knowledge and enthusiasm as they shared Portuguese history, language, and culture with us, offering suggestions and recommendations for where to go and what to see, where to eat. They were quick with recommendations and remained sensitive and attuned to our every comfort. They consistently went out of their way to provide impeccable service, catering to our whims, whether it was advice on how to speak or pronounce words, removing the front seat to relieve carsickness during a winding journey, providing spare umbrellas when it rained, driving us by Cristiano Ronaldo's house to satisfy our curiosity, calling a restaurants at the last minute to book tables with an ocean view, attempting to help us attend a futebol match outside Porto... The list goes on and on. The love and pride that our guides felt for their homeland shone through their words and actions.

We discovered quickly that Across Portugal had taken the time to find only the very best in local service and excursions, from tastings to vineyard tours, boat rides to cross-country drives and fado dinners. It felt as though we were being given gift after gift of unique insights and kind gestures, invited into an exclusive family. We trusted the Across Portugal team, and by extension their partnerships with local businesses, to lead us at every turn. We would not hesitate to recommend their services to anyone planning a visit to this beautiful country. You will have no choice but to fall in love with Portugal!

Pedro and his team made everything so much easier and more relaxed. From the transports to the guides to the daily communication, everything about our trip was fantastic. Highly recommend Pedro and their team!!

Marisa & KimKim team were in constant communication with us throughout our trip. The hotels selected were amazing. All plans went off without a hitch. Great vacation!

Marisa was great to work with during the planning process. The hotels she chose were perfect! Both the Cascais Miragem (in Cascais) and Cascade Wellness (in Lagos) were perfectly located and offered everything we could have asked for. The Cascade Wellness hotel is a ocean front resort and offers direct access to the walking trails along the cliffs and to the beaches. We found the Cascais Miragem to be a perfect mix of walking distance to the town (10 mins) and luxury amenities that we needed at the end of our trip. Day trip to Sintra and stops along the Cascias coast were worth the time for a day trip. Marisa was was always responsive to our questions and made really great suggestions to fill out the trip for us. We didn't end up eating at any of her restaurant suggestions as we prefer to find them ourselves but they all looked to be excellent choices if you don't want to research those yourself. Having a driver available for airport transport and the Sintra trip made things very convenient. Rental car process was seamless and easy. Don't be intimidated with tackling the drive from Lisbon to Lagos yourself. It was easier than expected. We only had to to spend 15 minutes driving in Lisbon then it was out into the countryside on the open road highway. Our 16 year old son said this was a Great trip form him as well. Other observations: don't worry about the language as everyone there speaks english and the Metros in Lisbon were safe, efficient, clean and easy to navigate. Thanks Marisa and the KimKim team!

João and Pablo did a great job keeping us on track with their daily updates. The suggestions they made were greatly appreciated.
Our drivers Carlos and Fabio were the best.. always on time,, providing some history lessons, and going a little out of their way to assure that we got to see some extras.

Hotel Review

Estoril Vintage Hotel

Estoril

A very special experience. Walk into the beautiful lobby and take in the charm of this “once home”, now hotel. Have your welcome drink on the terrace overlooking the ocean . Use your Portuguese to chat with friendly staff. Enjoy the view from your spacious room. Take a short walk through the lovely streets of Estoril before heading down to the water. The food here is excellent, so be sure to have a special dinner there.

Authenticity & Character

Stunning building, beautiful decor and very professional and friendly staff

Location

Very short walk to coastline.

Staff

Very attentive, welcoming, and helpful. You can tell they enjoy their work.

Cleanliness & Comfort

All downstairs sitting rooms, bar area, restaurant and certainly rooms were very clean and comfortable.

Activity Reviews

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

Our guide was a young woman named Anna. Her passion for history was evident through her knowledge and enthusiasm. She guided us through different areas of Lisbon and took us to historical places as well as the best views via elevators. The tour ended with a delightful wine tasting and sampling of cheeses and hams. This was only for us. The wine expert talked about some different wines from Portugal, especially its vinho verde. Of course we bought one.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

Our driver took us up narrow, winding roads to a restaurant that is famous for Fados. We enjoyed a very nice meal, good wines, and were treated to a performance of guitar and singing. The songs were often about the sea and of course love. I especially loved the guitars.

Quality of Experience

We were treated so well and the people were so warm and friendly.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Profesional, passionate about their work, and a desire to see that guests were getting the best experience.

Transport

Great drivers, excellent public transportation such as metros, short train rides, long train rides in first class car, and Ubers.

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

A great way to see the stunning rock formations. Your motorboat takes you through the arches of the walls. The guides are knowledgeable and great at handling the boats.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Embark on a Flavorful Cooking Class with a Meal at the Farm

Portugal

We had a lovely evening visiting the farm of Mariana and Inez. Their family has had this farm for many years and all work to keep it going. Our cooking class with Inez was a real highlight of the trip. With her guidance, we four prepared a 3 course meal. We all took part in the creation of a meal fit for a king. After the meal was ready, Inez and Mariana set the dining room table and served us the meal we had prepared. It was a wonderful experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Fresh seafood, wines, couvert, cheeses, and desserts.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Their warmth and kindness. I had started taking Portuguese classes a few weeks before the trip. I was anxious to see what I could do. The people with whom I interacted were patient and helpful.

Transport

João from Across Portugal did a fantastic job helping us plan our 12-day vacation in Portugal. In the planning stage he offered suggestions after listening to our needs and preferences. We emailed back and forth until we had the perfect trip for us. Then Across Portugal did all the booking and sent a detailed itinerary to review.
Once we were in Portugal, everything went like clockwork. We had a walking tour of Lisbon with Anna, who had lots of history and contemporary information to share with us. Our driver, Carlos, was with us several times during the trip and we had lots of opportunities to learn about his country from him. We felt safe in his hands and enjoyed his company. He also gave us good suggestions for places to eat.
Another highlight of the trip was our cooking lesson in Tavira with Inez and Mariana. We loved visiting their farm and learning to cook cataplana and other delicious traditional Portuguese dishes. We wished we had more time to explore Tavira. It is a much smaller town than the other places we stayed.
João checked in with us each day to tell us what to expect and make sure all was going well. He rebooked a cancelled boat excursion before we even knew it happened! The joys of having an in-country travel agent!
In sum, I highly recommend Across Portugal, João in particular, to help you plan and execute a magnificent vacation in beautiful Portugal!!!

Hotel Reviews

Heritage Avenida Liberdade

Lisboa

Lovely boutique hotel located perfectly in historic Lisbon. Great staff, delicious breakfasts, beautiful decor. Everyone was friendly and helpful

Authenticity & Character

Warm and friendly

Location

Walk to shops, restaurants, historic sections of town and the metro.

Staff

Greeted us every time we came in the door with smiles and words expressing interest in us.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and comfortable

Casa Mãe Lagos

Lagos

This hotel is unusual for us. We stayed in the minimalist rooms and enjoyed the care with which they were furnished and decorated. The balcony was an enjoyable place to relax. We loved the restaurant and the wellness drinks on offer! Dinner was excellent as were the breakfasts. The beauty of Casa Mae is also outside of their buildings. The garden is a centerpiece, even in February and the pools look enchanting, although it wasn’t warm enough for us to be tempted.

Authenticity & Character

Quite unusual compound of buildings and gardens. All renovated with care and creativity.

Location

The hotel has a great location inside the historic wall on a hill above the center of town. It was an easy walk to the water, shops, and restaurants and it was very quiet at night.

Staff

Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Solange, Barbara and Candela stand out.

Cleanliness & Comfort

In a minimalist room a traveler must work a bit to keep things tidy. Each day the housekeeper would have everything in order for us!

Pousada Convento de Tavira - Historic Hotel

Tavira

We were only here one night and wished it could have been longer.

Authenticity & Character

It survived the earthquake of 1755 and is a gorgeous building. Lots of space.

Location

Tavira seems like a cozy small town. The pousada is at the top of a hill next to a beautiful garden.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Estoril Vintage Hotel

Estoril

This gorgeous small hotel was the best of the best. The staff makes every effort to help you feel at home and every detail was considered in planning and decorating. Every where you look you find something beautiful. The restaurant was excellent and the location was convenient to everything we wanted. The terrace overlooking the water was unforgettable. Nothing better than sitting there, sipping a drink and watching the waves.

Authenticity & Character

Feels like a gorgeous, stately old home, which is what it was.

Location

We didn’t have a car and loved the short walk to the beach promenade which seemed to go for miles. Stunning neighborhood also.

Staff

Attentive and warm and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perfectly maintained

Activity Reviews

To Eat Suggestion: Cervejaria Trindade

Lisbon

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

Anna was full of information. She tailored the walking experience to our needs. Answered all our questions and was fun to be with.

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

This is a crowded tourist spot even in February. The drive up the mountain is interesting!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Carlos knew some tricks to avoid the crowds and make the best of the day’s experiences. We were glad we listened to him

Transport

When we weren’t walking or on a train, we were driven by Carlos in his immaculate Mercedes van. Smooth and quiet on the highway.

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

If you haven’t seen and heard fado, you must. The guitar playing is amazing but I can’t quite relate to the singing style.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food was really pretty good for a dinner theatre experience.

Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves

Portugal

We do a lot of personal boating, so we weren’t sure how much we would enjoy this. However, it was a lot of fun and really special to see the rocks and cliffs from the water side. The guides on the boat were safe and entertaining.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Embark on a Flavorful Cooking Class with a Meal at the Farm

Portugal

This was our favorite experience of the whole trip. These families are working hard to create a sustainable organic farm, raise their children and earn a living. They are so proud of their home, their property and products. It was an inspiring evening. We had a great time cooking and chatting and eating.

Quality of Experience

Amazing farm and home.

Food

Traditional cataplana main course with fried goat cheese starter and light dessert I can’t remember the name of.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great chef Inez! She explained the chemistry of our cooking method.

Working with Diana to plan our Portugal trip was such a pleasure!! She and her awesome team have made our 30th anniversary celebration a memorable one.
I really don't know how we could have managed such a wonderful vacation so easily if I hadn't contacted her via KimKim. She and her colleagues took care of every single, minute detail during our 5 day trip. Right from the very first call to the time we boarded our flights out of Lisbon, she was w/ us via What'sApp, checking-in at regular intervals, giving a heads-up regarding the next day expectations.
I also have to give special thanks to our drivers and guides Rafael and Ricardo. They have made our day trips to Sintra, drive around Lisbon, drive to Porto a breeze and such an informative trip - stopping at all the right places and being the best local guides :)
Overall, I would highly recommend Diana and her team to anyone who is planning a trip to Portugal. You will be doing yourselves a favor :)

Activity Reviews

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver plus guide for the day , Rafhael, was very friendly, punctual and ensured we did not miss any important/interesting spot.

Transport

Very punctual pickup/drop; clean vehicle

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Ana was our walking tour guide for the day. She was very pleasant, friendly and easy to talk to, has a good understanding of local history. 3.5 hrs just flew by going around this historic town w/ Ana. I would recommend this walking tour to folks who are able to comfortably walk around - esp hilly ups/downs.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was my first experience using kimkim and their local agent, Diana, in Portugal, and I will not travel again without contacting them! It was the most seamless, wonderful trip I have experienced. Every detail of the trip was arranged prior to our departure, all with our feedback and suggestions, as needed. Having never been to Portugal, we were grateful for Diana's suggestions on locations to visit and the amount of time allotted for each. I am a female who was traveling with my sister-in-law and 27 year old daughter, and we all agreed it was the most amazing experience.

The private driver service was a game changer! Prior to our travel, we had suggested to Diana that we may not need a private driver; however, she responded that this was the best way to travel without stress and enjoy local knowledge as we traveled. Our main driver, Costa, was beyond amazing. He was professional, polite, kind, attentive, and always receptive to our requests to stay longer in a location or move on. It was like traveling in a high-end van with a tour guide and secret service (no safety concerns, but Costa watched our every move)! Costa helped arrange for restaurants during several stops, and we were treated like royalty by the staff. We had our most amazing meal overlooking the ocean in a restaurant in Cascais on Costa's recommendation.

The hotels arranged by Diana were amazing. We were pleasantly surprised at each of our three accommodations, but especially overwhelmed in Lisbon and Cascais. The staff at the hotels were professional and kind, and the breakfast options that were included were excellent.

We also took advantage of a few walking tours and excursions recommended by Diana. Each of the tour guides seemed very concerned at our satisfaction level, and we enjoyed the private aspect of the tours in giving us a chance to ask questions and take detours at our discretion.

In every piece of our travel, we felt that we were offered higher levels of accommodations and service based on the service providers' desire to keep good standing with Diana and Across Portugal. Diana was quick to respond when we had questions, and there were no unpleasant surprises along the way. Many thanks to kimkim and Diana at Across Portugal for the trip of a lifetime!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Britania Art Deco

Lisboa

The hotel location, decor, rooms, and service were exceptional. We were on a quiet street, yet only blocks from the high end district. The rooms were beautiful and well-appointed.

Authenticity & Character

Amazing that they were able to bring an historic building up to current and exceptional comforts.

Location

The hotel is on a quiet street, yet only a block or two from city center.

Staff

All of the front desk staff were amazing. The bartender was exceptional, as well.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The beds were amazing, as well as the bathroom.

Condes de Azevedo Palace

Porto

The hotel was beautiful and nice that the apartment offered separate bedrooms and a common area, dining table, and kitchen. It was on a very busy and noisy street, and the bedrooms were up a flight of narrow stairs with a tight turn, making luggage a bit of a challenge.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The hotel provided easy access to the river as well as central Porto.

Staff

At check-in, we were offered a quick tour of the apartment, but no assistance with getting our luggage up the stairs to the bedroom. We also asked for a recommendation for wine and pizza and were directed to a hotel that did not serve pizza (which seems trivial, but we were very specific in our request).

Cleanliness & Comfort

The apartment was very clean, but there were no extra amenities such as extra towels or pillows.

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

Every aspect of this hotel was amazing. It was one of the nicest hotels experienced by anyone in our group. We did not want to leave!

Authenticity & Character

The hotel is spacious and well designed. The fresh floral arrangements and design were impeccable.

Location

The oceanfront location cannot be beat. The restaurant, bar, pool, and balconies all have amazing views of the ocean.

Staff

The cleaning staff offered turndown service, fresh towels throughout the day, pillow options, etc. and were so kind and professional.

Cleanliness & Comfort

This hotel offers every amenity. It is exceptional.

Activity Reviews

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings

Lisbon

The private tour of Lisbon offered just the right level of detail on the history and current state of Lisbon. Our tour guide was kind, fun, knowledgeable and professional.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We felt that we would have liked to have our guide as a friend. She was kind and fun.

Transport

This was a walking tour that was just the right level of challenge and comfort.

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Our driver was beyond amazing in his professionalism and knowledge of the area. We enjoyed Pena Palace but especially enjoyed Sintra and the brief tour of Cascais.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We cannot say enough good things about our driver. He was extremely professional, kind, attentive, and helpful. We loved Costa!

Transport

The high end van and private driver offered a wonderful way to see the area.

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Lisbon

The atmosphere and music offered great insight into the Portuguese culture. We appreciated how much all native Portuguese love the Fado music. It is beautiful.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Porto is beautiful and we walked through some amazing locations. Our guide offered an extensive history of Porto and Portugal as a country - perhaps a little too extensive, at times. We would have preferred to cover a little more ground and see more sights.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very kind and knowledgeable. He could benefit from being a little more aware of the attention level of his visitors. To his credit, he is very passionate about the history of Portugal and the style of buildings, etc.

Transport

We would have preferred more walking and less standing and talking.

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Beautiful location and interesting tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Seamless Discovery - The Ultimate Douro Valley Experience with Private Driver Service

Portugal

The Douro Valley is amazing and beautiful. We enjoyed the views and the winery tour; however, the time spent in the car seemed a bit excessive.

Quality of Experience

Having been on vineyard tours in other countries, we would have foregone this experience due to the travel time to and from the area.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Douro River Escape: 1-Hour Exclusive Cruise

Portugal

The guides on the boat were wonderful; however, the boat tour was a bit underwhelming. We traveled a short distance down the river and back and really did not see anything overwhelming - perhaps because we live in a part of the world that also has beautiful rivers and hills :)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Indulge in Elegance on a Guided Winery Tour Infused with Tastings and a Delicious Lunch

Portugal

The lunch was wonderful. We did enjoy the tour of the vineyards, but having been to other vineyards, we would have opted not to do this experience.

Quality of Experience

Lunch was exceptional!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cascais-Sintra Exclusive E-Bike Adventure

Portugal

The weather was not conducive to a bike tour that day, yet the guide suggested we continue. We thought we would be transported to the park by car, but we left the hotel on bike after only a brief introduction to the e-bikes and traveled on side walks and through the narrow city streets. Due to the wet tiles on the street, one member of our party wrecked their bike after two previous near falls. Thankfully, she wasn't seriously hurt, but had a large bruise on her cheek and a sizeable scrape on her knee. We returned to the hotel without seeing the park. Our travel agent, Diana, was exceptionally concerned about the injury and make sure our injured traveler did not need additional care. Diana also immediately refunded our fees for the tour.

Quality of Experience

I am an experienced biker; however, I was very uncomfortable following our guide through city streets with pedestrians. The workings of the e-bike deserve more than a brief introduction.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport