Across Portugal

From start to finish, this has been a superb experience. Marisa was attentive to our needs, very approachable and friendly, and highly professional in putting together our itinerary, suggesting options, answering questions, reserving hotels and rental cars, arranging tours and tickets as requested, leaving opportunities for us to undertake additional activities, and staying in touch with us during and after our travels. A tour of northern Portugal had long been on our bucket list and came with high expectations. Thanks to Marisa, these were more than met, and the result was an amazingly rich, rewarding, and smooth vacation.

Hotel Reviews

Vila Galé Collection Braga

Braga

This hotel is part of a chain, but is located in an historic building near to the old core of the city. It boasts several swimming pools.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vila Galé Douro Vineyards

Armamar

This hotel is beautifully situated; has fantastic views, welcome swimming pools, and a wine cellar; and is conveniently located for visiting the winelands

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sapientia Boutique Hotel

Coimbra

This is a charming hotel, with sweeping views, ready access to the university and old town, and a lovely courtyard.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

NH Hotel Porto Jardim

Porto

This is a comfortable and conveniently located hotel, and the staff are wonderfully helpful and informative.

Authenticity & Character

This is part of a chain, but it is comfortable and does have a garden and pool.

Location

Very convenient to the old city and the main bridge across the Douro. Getting to the sites across the river is an easy walk.

Staff

Incredibly friendly and helpful staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

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

Portugal

This was an amazing experience. The meal was great, the staff exceptionally friendly and funny, and the wine tasting was most informative and enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transport

Scenic Voyage along the Douro River aboard an Exclusive Boat

Portugal

This is a short but worthwhile experience. Our young guide was enormously knowledgeable about the history of the area as well as about viticulture, wines, and the local economy.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had no problem in getting to our rendezvous by car and had been given good instructions beforehand about parking.

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

The Sandeman cellars are a short walk from the hotel, and the tour and tasting were both engaging and very informative. We had an excellent guide in James.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

You get there and back on foot. The walk is steep, but quite manageable.

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Pedro was amazingly knowledgeable and engaging and expertly tailored his comments to our particular interests.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Every thing was done on foot.

My husband, Steve, and I were interested in visiting Portugal to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. We began our research by watching YouTube videos, and one host kept showing up—Pedro Luis. I googled him and discovered that he was affiliated with KimKim. We reached out to Pedro, shared our interests, and from the very beginning, he was wonderful to work with.

Pedro put together an amazing trip for us that was perfectly suited to what we wanted to experience. It turned out to be a truly wonderful and memorable anniversary adventure, and we couldn’t have been happier with how everything came together.We started our adventure in Lisbon and then traveled to the Algarve, Évora, Alcobaça, and Porto, rounding out our time in Portugal. We asked Pedro to add a few days in Barcelona at the end of our trip, which turned out to be a fantastic way to finish our anniversary celebration.
Our itinerary included airport transfers, walking tours, a Fado experience with dinner, e-bike and boat tours, cooking classes, tickets to UNESCO World Heritage sites, and so much more! Every guide we had was knowledgeable, personable, and well informed, making each guided activity that much more enjoyable. Both Steve and I are absolutely horrible with names, so the fact that we can't mention everyone by name is in no way a reflection of the wonderful time we spent with each of them.

We also really appreciated the balance Pedro built into our itinerary. In addition to all of the scheduled tours and activities, we had plenty of time to explore on our own, wander through the cities, and simply enjoy being there without feeling rushed.

I would give each of the tours and activities five stars. There were, however, two that stood out as 5+++: the cooking class at The Paella Club in Barcelona and the Sail Tour, also in Barcelona. Both were exceptional experiences.

The Sail Tour was scheduled for our last day, and it was the perfect way to end our trip. Relaxing on the water, taking in the beautiful surroundings, and reflecting on everything we had experienced made for a truly memorable final day.

We hope to return to Portugal someday, and if we do, there is no question that we will reach out to Pedro again. We would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a thoughtful, knowledgeable, and attentive travel planner who can turn a trip into an unforgettable experience.

Hotel Reviews

The One Barcelona

Barcelona

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The staff is eager to help in any way they can.

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Flores

Porto

Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Historic Hotel

Alcobaça

This is a very large hotel! Only a few minutes walk to the main square. The only odd thing was if you wanted to go to the pool -- even just to sit -- you had to wear a swiming cap.

M'ar de Ar Aqueduto

Évora

Casa Mãe Lagos

Lagos

This is a lovely hotel, but driving there can be tricky! Look for the parking lot that's actually behind the hotel rather than driving to the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Liberdade

Lisbon

This was our favorite hotel! Perfect location and really friendly staff. We had breakfast each morning and also ate dinner here one night.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It's right in the middle of things.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

To Eat Suggestion: Luca´s Rooftop Restaurant (Lagos)

Portugal

Luca's is a wonderful restaurant with interesting cocktails and menu.

Premium Dinner Accompanied by Authentic Fado Performance

Lisbon

Authentic Small Group Portuguese Cooking Class in Lisbon

Portugal

Paella Cooking Experience

Barcelona

So much fun! It was like being caught up in a broadway production. High energy, and tasty recipes.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Private Transfer from your hotel to a unique Fado Experience

Portugal

2h Small Group Classic Sail Tour in Barcelona

Barcelona

This was one of our favorites!

The Essence of Douro - A River, Wine, and Gastronomy Experience with a Private Driver

Portugal

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Step Back in Time with a Private Guided Tour of Évora and the Bones Chapel!

Portugal

Exclusive Boat Tour to Ponta da Piedade Grottoes with a Swimming Stop

Portugal

The rock formations are amazing.

Explore Sintra's Fairytale Villa with a Private Driver and Pena Palace Tickets

Portugal

Exploring Lisbon's Riverside on an Exclusive E-Bike Adventure to Belém

Lisbon

Super fun!

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour with Ginjinha & Pastel de Nata

Lisbon

MY sister and I had the most incredible visit to this magnificent country and I could not have experienced this without the superior planning and assistance from Pedro! My visit to Portugal went above and beyond my expectations, which were already pretty high. Our itinerary was built specifically for us and it met every one of my requests and more. I could never have experienced the true closeness we received from our guides, our drivers, our hotels, the sites we visited and the knowledge of Portugal's history without the professional and caring assistance of Pedro and the people he sent to guide us and help us fulfill all our hopes & expectations. Every one the people we interacted with over our 10 days in Portugal were WONDERFUL. We became close to each one of them and they gave us a new found admiration and respect for Portugal and the cities we visited. Lisboa, Porto, and Cascais were the major cities, but we visited so much more. Our driver for most of the time there, Rui, was very special to us. His knowledge and assistance in all of our travels was amazing and we were sad to leave him, We insisted on learning proper pronunciation and all the history he could share. Ricardo was our second driver and he was wonderful, too. We asked for the same with him and learned so much. Our Historic guides were so knowledgeable! Our first one in Lisboa, Marguerite was overwhelming in her understanding of the history of this country and her manner of telling the stories were moving and beautiful. What an incredible woman ... she brought us to tears (hidden to her I hope) in the descriptions of the dictatorship and the revolution. Ana, our guide in Porto, was truly a walking encyclopedia of the country's history and Porto's history! Our heads were spinning with knowledge. Our culinary class with Chef Pedro was absolutely wonderful. We loved it!
I could go on and on about this trip, but I want to thank Pedro for the amazing job he did with my itinerary and the people he matched us with. I felt that we were so well cared for and all our needs were met in every possible way. Our hotels were beautiful, intimate, with wonderful staff in each. To say we made many friends along the way is an understatement. Knowing that each day Pedro would check in on us as well as Diana and Marisa answering any questions we may have was quite helpful and special. We knew we were in excellent hands. My sister and I have already shared much of our trip with family and friends and KimKim is truly at the top of our suggestions for any future trips.
I feel like there is so much more I want to share, but for now ... thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this a trip of a lifetime. You truly are the best in the travel industry! I must add one more important note. Along with all the culture, history, and incredible sites & food, it's not complete until I add this, "We had SO SO SO MUCH FUN!"

Hotel Review

Montebelo Vista Alegre Lisboa Chiado Hotel

Lisboa

The Hotel is magnificent and intimate. The staff is truly wonderful! We loved all of them! The food is absolutely amazing. I would definitely return to this hotel!

Authenticity & Character

Location

In the heart of Lisboa!

Staff

Everyone was kind, helpful, charming, and deeply cared for us!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

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

Portugal

This was by far the most amazing meal and the wine tasting was excellent. Sara was our private guide. We learned so much!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Flavors of Port Wine - Sip & Discover

Porto

Claudia was our guide and she was wonderful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploring the Art of Pastel de Nata on a A Hands-On Culinary Group Experience

Portugal

Chef Pedro was incredible. We loved this!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Portugal

Breathtaking sites and beauty.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

The palace and gardens were incredible. We loved this!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour with Ginjinha & Pastel de Nata

Lisbon

Truly an amazing educational tour of Lisboa. Our guide was incredible and lovely!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everything! Rui was wonderful!

Transport

We learned so much just from our drivers and their knowledge of Portugal!

Scenic Voyage along the Douro River aboard an Exclusive Boat

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Portugal was fantastic from beginning to end. Everything that was promised was delivered, and the entire experience felt seamless, thoughtful, and very well executed.

I work in the travel industry for a company that provides luxury travel services (Nothing to do with Portugual or Europe), so I’ll admit that I have fairly high standards and can be a little skeptical about turning over the planning of our own family vacation to someone else. Joao very quickly put those concerns to rest.

From the initial contact, he was responsive, thorough, and understood what would make the trip right for our family. Traveling with a 14-year-old, an 18-year-old, and two parents isn’t necessarily an easy audience to please, but Joao created an itinerary that was remarkably well balanced. There was enough planned to make each day interesting and memorable without ever making the trip feel over-scheduled. Everyone had something to enjoy, which is no small accomplishment!

Joao’s attention to detail continued well beyond the planning stage. He checked in with us just before we left, throughout the trip, and again after we returned home. He also remembered that we were celebrating our 31st anniversary, and that personal touch ( with flowers and treates) meant a great deal to us.

Our accommodations were wonderful, well chosen, and very well located. Condes de Azevedo Palace in Porto was a particular highlight and such a memorable place to stay. The locations of all the hotels made exploring easy, whether on foot or using Uber.

Our driver/guides in each city were personable, punctual, friendly and gave us a deeper understanding of the region. The vehicles were immaculate and comfortable.

Perhaps what I appreciated most, especially given my own background in travel, was how effortless the trip felt. I know that “effortless” travel usually means someone has done a great deal of work behind the scenes. Joao clearly had. We were able to simply enjoy Portugal, enjoy our family, and celebrate 31 years together without worrying about the details.

We came home with wonderful memories and an enormous appreciation for Joao and the care he put into our trip. I would absolutely use KimKim again and would recommend Joao without hesitation.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

Very spacious. The hotel is being renoveated in two months so any review seems irrelevant but it was great for near term travelers.

Authenticity & Character

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location

Staff

Especially wonderful, knowing the hotel was dosing soon.

Staff

Especially wonderful, knowing the hotel was dosing soon.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness & Comfort

Condes de Azevedo Palace

Porto

Beautifullly restored. Loved it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It wasm very convienent that it had a small parking lot that allowed pick up/dropoff/

Staff

The Manager on Duty was from a sister hotel but but he carried our luggage and went out of his way to get ice for my husbands knee and provide restaurant recommendations.

Cleanliness & Comfort

They don't provide daily housekeeping unless you request. This is fine, we requested and received but I do like to have my room made up daily without any additional effort.

PortoBay Marquês

Lisbon

Comfortable and well located for easy transportation.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

To Eat Suggestion: Brasão - Coliseu

Porto

Although we had a reservation we had to wait. Confusion about our order.

Quality of Experience

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner

Portugal

Performance was good. Service was terrible, Food was mediocre, Didn't like that the performer came around to sell his CDs.

Quality of Experience

Food

Tickets to Lello Bookshop

Porto

It was good but would have benefited from clearer understanding of how the tickets work. The guide for the walking tour didn't seem to know we had tickets and didn't give us clear understanding of how the ticketing system worked.

Quality of Experience

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour

Porto

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The Essence of Douro - A River, Wine, and Gastronomy Experience with a Private Driver

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Sintra's Fairytale Villa with a Private Driver and Pena Palace Tickets

Portugal

Discover Lisbon’s Historic Center & Belém in a 3-Hour Tuk Tuk Adventure

Lisbon