Emily helped us to plan a terrific vacation
Portugal | Aug 13 - Aug 21, 2026

Megan
Megan H.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Sep 02, 2026

Emily helped us to plan a terrific vacation in Portugal. We knew little about Portugal, and it was so wonderful to have her expertise to plan a trip that was truly enjoyable and memorable. The guided tours she arranged for us were superb and the guides were excellent.

Hotel Reviews
Pátio do Tijolo
Lisbon

We were very happy with this hotel. It was located in a busy, popular area, but because of its setting it was a quiet oasis in a bustling area. The staff were friendly and helpful. The food was good. Our only complaint would be that the room had few surfaces on which to place our things. Still, I would stay here again.

Authenticity & Character
It was clean and comfortable but with unique art and a relaxing vibe.
Location
We could walk to many of the things we wanted to see and do, but once you went through the hotel gates, you were suddenly in a calm, quiet, private space. I loved that.
Staff
They made a great effort to help with any questions we asked.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The cleaning staff did an excellent job every day.
CBR Boutique Hotel
Coimbra

I loved this book/library-themed hotel. It was right up my alley. The bathroom was so cool!

Authenticity & Character
So cool and unique! Loved the decor! And it was quite comfortable.
Location
It was easy to get from there to wherever we wanted to go, with plenty of restaurants nearby.
Cleanliness & Comfort
All great.
Flores Boutique Hotel
Porto

This one had plusses and minuses. When we arrived at 1 pm they had apparently decided that was the time to repaint the front desk. There was not an obvious warning sign until I had approached the desk, and by that time my shirt was destroyed. It was oil-based paint. The shirt was a goner. They seemed less than sympathetic about it. Oh, well. The location was terrific. The room itself was kind of neat, and yet there was only one bedside light, no luggage racks or place to put luggage except the floor. My daughter's room had two lamps and a luggage rack. I asked if I could get even one luggage rack for our two-person room. I did not get one. The bathroom was ok, but the tub floor was 6 inches above the bathroom floor, so hazardous to get in for a shower. The breakfast was terrific. And the staff when we checked out at 5:30 am went out of their way to be helpful to us.

Authenticity & Character
But needed improvement to be more comfortable.
Location
Very centrally located for our activities, with lots of nearby shopping.
Staff
Some were amazing, some were adequate.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Better lighting, luggage racks, updated bathroom.
Activity Reviews
Traditional Portuguese Food Walk
Traditional Portuguese Food Walk
Lisbon

Our guide, Daniel, was wonderful. He was funny, well-informed, and made both the food and the city come alive. This was a great way to spend the morning.

Quality of Experience
The tour, the food, and the guide. 5 stars!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Daniel was a great guide - willing to share himself and his life while showing us the city and teaching us its history.
Flavours & Stories of Porto: Private Walking Tour & Mercado do Bolhão Visit
Flavours & Stories of Porto: Private Walking Tour & Mercado do Bolhão Visit
Porto

Our guide, Francisco, was wonderful -- the things and places he showed us, and the history and information he gave us were so engaging. The amount of food was enormous! And it was all delicious! I would totally do this again.

Quality of Experience
The tour, the food, and the guide. 5 stars!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Francisco was a great guide - willing to share himself and his life while showing us the city and teaching us its history.
Private Belém Walk with Jerónimos Monastery & Riverside Monuments
Private Belém Walk with Jerónimos Monastery & Riverside Monuments
Lisbon

I am glad we did this, but it was a very hot day and that impacted the experience. The monastery was lovely to visit. The riverside monuments were really interesting. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. It was a mistake to book this on the same day as the food tour. The food tour ran a little long, and it was a more than 30 minute cab ride to this tour. We barely made it, got no chance for water, bathroom, or any real lunch food.

Quality of Experience
When it is so hot, we needed more time in the shade and also water.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She was knowledgeable and friendly, but didn't engage on as personal a level as other guides we had.
Evening Fado Show
Evening Fado Show
Lisbon

The location was amazing, but very difficult to find. We made it into our seats moments before the show began. The address took us to a building across from a park, but the location was actually a cistern underneath the center of the park. If the directions had told us it was actually in the park, that would have been immensely helpful. That being said, the look and sound in the cistern was amazing. (Unfortunately, it was also quite warm.) The musicians were terrific an the singer was amazing. I got less education about Fado than I expected, but I loved the music.

Quality of Experience
The location, the music. Wow!
Private Sintra & Cascais Day Trip with Pena Palace & Quinta da Regaleira Visit
Private Sintra & Cascais Day Trip with Pena Palace & Quinta da Regaleira Visit
Lisbon

Pena Palace was great, but it became outstanding when we were able to get a private tour with an official palace guide. We had access to all kinds of spaces that people normally cannot enter. Our palace guide was superb. What a fantastic experience. At our guide, Louis', suggestion, we did not visit the second palace. He advised it was too much to fit in and would require much strenuous walking. He disapproves of trying to visit these two palaces in one day. Instead, after a walk and lunch in Sintra, he took us to Cabo Da Roca, to a beach, and then dropped us off in Cascais.

Quality of Experience
The private guide at Pena Palace and the wonderful tour she gave.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Louis was knowledgeable (and opinionated). He was pleasant to be with.
Transport
The car was comfortable.
Lisbon to Coimbra with Stop in Fátima
Lisbon to Coimbra with Stop in Fátima
Portugal

I would not have thought of visiting Fatima, but I am so glad I did. It was a fascinating visit to a holy place that is very important to Roman Catholics.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver was friendly and told us about things we passed along the way.
Transport
There was plenty of room.
Private Joanina Library & University of Coimbra Visit
Private Joanina Library & University of Coimbra Visit
Coimbra

WE really enjoyed this. Our guide was fantastic and everything she showed us and told us about was so interesting.

Quality of Experience
THe guide was great.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She was friendly, interesting, and knew everything about the university.
Douro River Sailing Trip
Douro River Sailing Trip
Porto

It was so nice to have a relaxing afternoon cruise.

Quality of Experience
The kindness of the staff
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They were so friendly and nice. And they gave us a nice drink and snack !
Transport
I lived that we ere on a small boat with only 2 other passengers,
Gaia Port Tasting Walk
Gaia Port Tasting Walk
Portugal

What a great tour! Our guide Alexandre was terrific! He mad the tour fun, informative, interesting, and something I would happily do again.

Quality of Experience
Alexandre - a primo guide!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
He was funny without making anyone uncomfortable. He built rapport in the group. He was patient and relaxed.
Local specialist: Emily Boles
Emily
Emily Boles
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Sep 02, 2026

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I love all the photos. 🤩 It was such a pleasure helping you discover Portugal and put together a trip that felt both enjoyable and memorable. I’m so happy to hear that you loved the guided tours and had such great experiences with your guides. I'm sorry to hear about the Flores Boutique Hotel, but I'm glad it didn't put a damper on the whole experience. Can't wait to see where you go next!