Marta Trzeciakowska

Our trip to Northern Spain arranged with Marta T of Espiritu Travel and Kim Kim was a truly wonderful experience and all of us in our group of 6 were very happy with the itinerary and the excellent attention and service we received from Marta before and during our trip. Marta was always so attentive and prompt in answering any questions and concerns we had and the suggestions she made for our itinerary introduced us to many of the highlights of our trip ie the Cares Mountain Route, the Picos... read more

Our trip to Northern Spain arranged with Marta T of Espiritu Travel and Kim Kim was a truly wonderful experience and all of us in our group of 6 were very happy with the itinerary and the excellent attention and service we received from Marta before and during our trip. Marta was always so attentive and prompt in answering any questions and concerns we had and the suggestions she made for our itinerary introduced us to many of the highlights of our trip ie the Cares Mountain Route, the Picos de Europa Mountains, the hike from Orio to Zumaia and the National Parks. We were so fortunate she chose Diego as our driver and guide for the majority of our trip! We met him in San Sebastian and all of us immediately felt so comfortable and safe with him right from the start. Diego is amazing! He is professional, very knowledgeable, patient, responsible and just a great person to be around. He was so attentive to the needs of our group! We all felt so safe with him driving on those winding mountain roads and on our hikes in lesser known areas as he accompanied us and made sure we were all going to make it to the end. We can’t recommend him enough! Our guides for the city tours, Noelia in Oviedo and Joachim in Santiago de Compostella were both excellent. They had such a great knowledge of the history of their respective cities and the area and their enthusiasm was infectious!
The hotels selected were all excellently located for touring the cities where we stayed and the included breakfasts were very good. We were a group of 2 couples and two singles. There was a difference in the size and quality of the rooms for the couples in the Posado Rural El Corcal, Hotel Soho Boutique in Oviedo and in Eurostars Araguaney in Santiago de Compostella. It was not a huge issue but should be addressed for future groups. There was also an issue with our reservation in Santiago de Compostella due to a computer glitch but a quick text to Marta resulted in her immediately addressing the problem with the hotel. It resulted in the two singles having to share a room for the first night of our three night reservation but we were well compensated with a delicious complimentary meal at the Hotel for the inconvenience this caused us. The one hike, the Oak Path in Armanon Park is one we suggest be used with caution and that it be rated as medium/difficult due to the conditions of the trail, the elevation and the difficulty finding the trail head. The rest of our hikes were well selected and the scenery was breathtaking on many of them.
In summary we are very happy with our choice of Kim Kim and highly recommend Marta T, the Kim Kim team, and the people she chose to be with us on our trip.
Jack and MaryAnne V.

Our group could not have been happier with our two week trip to Portugal and Sao Miguel Island! The hotels, transfers, and guides were all excellent. In Lisbon, our guide was Filipa for two days and she was very good. I would definitely recommend Palacio Ludovice Hotel as well - great location, rooms, and customer service. We loved the day trip to Sintra, Estoril and Cascais as well - another great guide and Nortada restaurant for lunch was a great recommendation. Evora was lovely but I... read more

Our group could not have been happier with our two week trip to Portugal and Sao Miguel Island! The hotels, transfers, and guides were all excellent. In Lisbon, our guide was Filipa for two days and she was very good. I would definitely recommend Palacio Ludovice Hotel as well - great location, rooms, and customer service. We loved the day trip to Sintra, Estoril and Cascais as well - another great guide and Nortada restaurant for lunch was a great recommendation. Evora was lovely but I would not necessarily recommend the Pousada de Evora, Convento dos Loios hotel. The rooms were generally sparse and they had very limited staff. However, Telma (our guide for two days) was outstanding and we loved the Olive Oil Estate tour and lunch - definitely a high point. Quinta Nova Winery House was in a spectacular location - but the trip up and down the mountain was nerve racking for those with fear of heights! Our dinner at their restaurant was delicious and the boat trip down the Douro River was wonderful. Would not recommended the picnic lunch at Quinda da Roeda Winery and it was a LONG, uphill walk from the dock (not 10 minutes - more like 30 minutes). Torel Palace in Porto was another high point - beautiful rooms and excellent service in a great location. The trip to Sao Miguel went as planned. However, we did not need the two rental cars. The hotel was only 10 minutes from the airport, so a taxi would have worked fine and we didn't use them the rest of the trip (I think we would have needed them if we stayed in the original hotel at the botanical gardens and probably should have rethought them after we moved to the waterfront). The Hotel Marina Atlantico was nothing fancy but nice with a great view and central location. We loved the Sunset Boat ride, the whale watching trip, and the Food and Wine Walk was wonderful. Natacha for Sete Ciudades and Furnas could not have been better - please recommend her for all of your clients; they will not be disappointed! All in all, we had a fantastic trip and were so happy with Marta and the Kimkim team as always. Thank you again! Karen Friedrich and Team!

Thank you for being quick to respond at every moment. We appreciated all your advice and checking up on drivers and guides.

H10 hotel and the cooking class in Sevilla was our absolute highlights. We could not have found either without your help so thank you!! The improvements - The hotel at Las Ramblas and Ronda was a let down in comparison. I think we would have appreciated more preparation in what to expect. Ronda staff were very rude- maybe they really dislike Americans? And Las... read more

Thank you for being quick to respond at every moment. We appreciated all your advice and checking up on drivers and guides.

H10 hotel and the cooking class in Sevilla was our absolute highlights. We could not have found either without your help so thank you!! The improvements - The hotel at Las Ramblas and Ronda was a let down in comparison. I think we would have appreciated more preparation in what to expect. Ronda staff were very rude- maybe they really dislike Americans? And Las Ramblas…it felt like a budget motel. Clean, but lacking in amenities or style. Perhaps you picked it for the convenient location- I think I would have been fine if our documents said that.

That being said, there was overwhelmingly more good than not so good. Pacing was great, places visited were awesome and the detailed itinerary gave enough info for me to plug in a few items from my own research. It was an amazing experience and we appreciate all that you did to help create it.

Hotel Reviews

7 Islas Hotel

Madrid

Excellent and welcoming staff and an amazing location that is close to everything yet still quiet and intimate. We loved this hotel and highly recommend it it!!

Authenticity & Character

Nothing. This has lots of authenticity and unique personality, but it isn’t (and shouldn’t be) a old world Spanish hotel

Location

It is just enough off the Main Street to be quiet yet still very convenient

Staff

They were warm and had great suggestions.

Cleanliness & Comfort

So clean!! Well designed room. Our only complaint- we had to sign into the Wi-Fi every single time, and sometimes even multiple times during a session.

Hotel H10 Casa de la Plata

Sevilla

I can’t say enough good about this place. We loved everything and every one. The front desk person even made a restaurant recommendation “off the list” which I know is not common- and it was outstanding! Also, the room was incredibly well designed- lighting furniture placement, amenities and bathroom… every detail was intelligently thought out and we appreciated it. On top of this they delivered iced Cava and a desert tray?! We felt like royalty for a day.

Authenticity & Character

So much character. And, we appreciated the playful art

Location

The view from our room was amazing

Staff

The best. Really.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless.

Catalonia Ronda

Ronda

Not the best experience. The parking was ridiculously complicated, the staff never seemed to have what we needed (and didn’t care) and the restaurant staff was beyond insulting- claiming they had no way to seat us until 10 pm… it was 7 pm and the place was completely empty. A senior staff took pity on us and sat us (with no apology or explanation ) and we proceeded to order and eat… and the restaurant never got more than 30% full during the entire meal. I’ve never been so insulted in my entire life. The room was as dark as a cave. Very unpleasant. We do not recommend.

Authenticity & Character

Rooms are like dark caves. Aweful.

Location

It is what it is

Staff

They seem to hate tourists (or Americans, or non-Spaniards?). Every request was impossible and no indication they were sorry about the denial. Really rude people.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super dark room was like a cave- not sure that could be changed.

NH Collection Victoria

Granada

Great location and charming view.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the view and the breakfast

Location

Close to everything

Staff

Friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was not clean- the tub had not been cleaned and there were hairs under the sheets. Management seemed responsive, but we were too tired to complain.

Arc La Rambla

Barcelona

A serviceable place that is clean but feels like a budget motel. Zero amenities but a vending machine on every floor. Active jackhammering just below our room when we checked in. Management did try to help out but 🤷‍♀️ what can you do?

Authenticity & Character

Budget is budget, I guess.

Location

Might be great for the young interested in the action on Las Ramblas. Not so much for us.

Staff

They were mostly occupied with watching to 12 surveillance screens so… 🤷‍♀️ they were nice.

Cleanliness & Comfort

I disliked the noise- both construction noise and general location noise, but I don’t think it’s bad. Just not my preference.

Activity Reviews

Guided Visit of Madrid: History, Culture & Architecture of the Capital of Spain

Madrid

It was informative.

Private Tapas Experience in Madrid

Madrid

Loved the “special guest” treatment

Quality of Experience

Food

Half the places were outstanding a couple were “normal”

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Traditional Andalusian Market Visit & Cooking Class

Seville

Awesome I’m every way. Totally recommend!!

Quality of Experience

Leo was adorable and a great teacher

Food

I never understood paella until this class.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Daniela was also awesome.

Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona

You get so much more out of the visit with a knowledgeable guide

Quality of Experience

Our guide was a great teacher

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All the guides were fabulous.
We really enjoyed the food, wine walking tour in Lisbon. Marta did a wonderful job.
We liked Caiscas and walking along the beach, in addition to a marvelous lunch at Nortada.
Our hotel, Palacio Ludivice Wine Experince Hotel, had a great location, attentive staff, and every night a different treat was left in the room, from candies, pastry, port, etc.
Great breakfast and very nice bar.

Our guide for the 2 tours we did in Evora, Telma was super. Very... read more

All the guides were fabulous.
We really enjoyed the food, wine walking tour in Lisbon. Marta did a wonderful job.
We liked Caiscas and walking along the beach, in addition to a marvelous lunch at Nortada.
Our hotel, Palacio Ludivice Wine Experince Hotel, had a great location, attentive staff, and every night a different treat was left in the room, from candies, pastry, port, etc.
Great breakfast and very nice bar.

Our guide for the 2 tours we did in Evora, Telma was super. Very knowledgeable and gave us a wide variety of experiences, including visit to Cork Farm, Olive Oil tasting and lunch with the owner of Blinded by Love, wine tasting and visit to her family’s watermelon and melon farm.
Staying at the 15th Convent was unique, but the coffee was horrendous and breakfast was just average.

We enjoyed our cruise of the Douro river with Paulo and Barb.
The visit to Croft for a Port tasting was average. The picnic lunch, although with an abundance of food, was below average in quality.
We had a delicious dinner at Quinto Nova and enjoyed their pool. We were disappointed that coffee was not available early in the morning prior to excursions.

Our hotel in Porto was wonderful. Gift of champagne and fruit on arrival. Breakfast was excellent with numerous options and eggs to order. Our guide Michael was excellent. Very knowledgeable about the history and took us to a jam tasting in addition to our walking tour of the town. We enjoyed our antique car tour down by the river at the tour’s end.

Azores
Hotel Marina Atlantico Ponta Delgado
Very good location, had ocean view, accommodating staff, enjoyed the bar area. Rooms were average, they could use some refreshing, especially the availability of outlets that can accommodate chargers.
Our sunset cruise with Louis and Marco was wonderful. We saw not only a beautiful sunset but a large group of dolphins. Our host did supply wine, although we also brought our own.
The whale watch we did through Terra Azulejo was a highlight. We saw dolphins, numerous, and a sperm whale who we actually saw do a dive.
Our food and wine tour with the Hungry Whale was fabulous. The stop at the restaurant Tasca us a must when in Ponto Delgada.
We did 2 days of tours with Natacha covering the island from end to end. She thoughtfully set up lunches for us at places that had original Portuguese food. She was also very knowledgeable and able to flex our tour to meet our requests. She did a wonderful job.

All in all our trip was a wonderful experience. The people in Portugal and Azores were open and welcoming.
Thanks to Marta for doing such a wonderful job!

Marta, our travel coordinator, was fantastic. She provided an app that gave us great information. She did a perfect job matching our vacation wishes with experiences. She continuously checked in with us to see how everything was going and if she could assist in anyway, always going above and beyond. KimKim has a gem in Marta!!
All our guides throughout Portugal, Azores and Spain were wonderful. (With the exception of the guide we had in Barcelona for our visit to Monserrat. He did not... read more

Marta, our travel coordinator, was fantastic. She provided an app that gave us great information. She did a perfect job matching our vacation wishes with experiences. She continuously checked in with us to see how everything was going and if she could assist in anyway, always going above and beyond. KimKim has a gem in Marta!!
All our guides throughout Portugal, Azores and Spain were wonderful. (With the exception of the guide we had in Barcelona for our visit to Monserrat. He did not provide good information and was more interested in smoking than speaking to the group.) But, we can’t let that one incident overshadow the amazing trip we had.

Hotel Reviews

Pousada de Lisboa, Praça do Comércio - Monument Hotel

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Exe Almada Porto

Porto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Noble House

Evora

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Gran Hotel Miramar

Málaga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gran Hotel Havana

Barcelona

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palacio de Villapanés

Sevilla

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Our guide was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and provided a great experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

Our guide was wonderful. She was flexible and fun. Had a wonderful time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Azorean Culinary & Wine Experience & Get to Know Ponta Delgada with a Local

São Miguel Island

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sete Ciudades Jeep Adventure

São Miguel Island

Natasha, our guide, was unbelievable. She shared great info about the islands. Our adventures with her were outstanding. We felt like she was a family member by the time we parted ways.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Night Hot Springs in Furnas

São Miguel Island

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Visit of Porto

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Introduction to Portuguese Wines

Porto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Our wine tasting and food pairing was the best!! Got so involved with the tasting that we decided to forego the cruise

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was great. Very knowledgeable.

Transport

Excursion to Alentejo - Jeep Safari Through a Cork Fork & Visit to an Olive Oil Estate

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver was super fun. He even took us to an optical store to get my husband’s glasses fixed.

Transport

Flamenco Experience

Spain

FUN!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Visit of Seville

Seville

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Málaga Cruise

Málaga

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free Day to Explore Málaga

Málaga

Wandered around. Visited the Picasso Museum. (Don’t waste your money on “Skip the Line” tickets. We didn’t get in any faster than anyone else.) spent the afternoon relaxing on the beach.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tapas Culinary Experience

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona

This was our main reason for wanting to visit Barcelona. We were not disappointed

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Montserrat & Penedès Region Wine Tasting

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was good. Guide was poor.

Transport

Marta helped us plan out a family trip to Barcelona and Madrid with a few day trips. She was helpful and patient with us prior to the trip. And we received a detailed plan through their app before we arrived with all the tickets/vouchers and info we would need. We packed a lot into the 9 day itinerary, and it all went very smoothly. It was nice to sit back and enjoy the trip while all the guides and drivers were all where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there! And... read more

Marta helped us plan out a family trip to Barcelona and Madrid with a few day trips. She was helpful and patient with us prior to the trip. And we received a detailed plan through their app before we arrived with all the tickets/vouchers and info we would need. We packed a lot into the 9 day itinerary, and it all went very smoothly. It was nice to sit back and enjoy the trip while all the guides and drivers were all where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there! And any questions that came up were promptly answered by Marta and her coworkers. All the guides were great.
We weren't sure how the mosaic activity would go over with the kids on the day we arrived in Barcelona (on a red eye). But it turned out to be a relaxing activity that we all enjoyed, and we got some nice souvenirs to boot.
Also, not all of us were thrilled about the hike in the mountains on the way to Segovia, but it turned out to be a highlight of the trip for all.....it was very beautiful.

Activity Reviews

Family Fun: Mosaiccos (Trencadís and Mosaic Workshop)

Barcelona

This was a chill activity for the day we arrived to Barcelona on a red-eye. We all enjoyed and got some cool souvenirs to bring home.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kids & Family Gothic Quarter

Barcelona

Lisa was engaging with the kids and got them interested in the history of the Gothic Quarters. The area is pretty cool.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Costa Brava Day Trip: Tossa de Mar and Panoramic Boat Ride

Barcelona

The area is beautiful. We had a nice hike, a little walk through a coastal town, a boat ride, and then a nice meal on the coast. Vincente and Joaquin were well orchestrated getting us around. It was Easter Sunday, so it was a pretty crowded the day we went.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Family Day Trip to Toledo

Spain

Toledo was beautiful. We had great weather and it wasn't too busy, so that helped. Our guide Natalia picked us up at the train station and took us for a nice walking tour through the city starting with a nice view from outside the old city. Included some stops for local treats.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hike & Guided Visit of Segovia

Madrid

Gabrielle was our driver for the day. He was great and kept everything flowing. We were picked up in Madrid and taken to the mountains for a hike with Hugo. We had a nice hike along a mountain river which was highlight for the entire trip. Then on to Segovia for a nice suckling pig lunch and then a city tour with Maria. The ancient aqueduct is pretty cool.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our family trip to Spain was absolutely fantastic! The entire process with Marta (and KimKim) from start to finish could not have been better! Everything was planned meticulously, and Marta was always promptly available with guidance, expertise, and assistance. The drivers were always on time and professional. The hotels were all luxurious and right in the middle of all the action in each city. The Flamenco Show was so quaint and intimate, it felt like we were at a private performance. And... read more

Our family trip to Spain was absolutely fantastic! The entire process with Marta (and KimKim) from start to finish could not have been better! Everything was planned meticulously, and Marta was always promptly available with guidance, expertise, and assistance. The drivers were always on time and professional. The hotels were all luxurious and right in the middle of all the action in each city. The Flamenco Show was so quaint and intimate, it felt like we were at a private performance. And beyond a doubt the guides and local experiences really made the whole country come alive! Boris made the tapas crawl so much fun. Miguel brought Barcelona alive with his wealth of knowledge. Manu made our trip to the coast an absolute blast. Jorge showed us the history of Madrid’s streets. Elena braved the weather in Segovia to show us all the ancient nooks and crannies. Pablo transported us back in time with his vast knowledge of Seville’s past. And Geza pointed out all the things in the Royal Palace we would have missed without him! This trip truly exceeded all of our expectations. We are so thankful for all the effort that went into planning such a fantastic trip for our family. We look forward to picking out another destination and letting KimKim handle the rest!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel España Ramblas

Barcelona

Fantastic hotel in a lively location! Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

H10 Villa de la Reina Boutique Hotel

Madrid

Beautiful hotel in a great location with very friendly staff! Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel H10 Casa de la Plata

Sevilla

Beautiful hotel in a fantastic location! Super helpful and friendly staff! Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Tapas Culinary Experience

Barcelona

This was an awesome way to dive into the Barcelona tapas scene - Absolutely delicious!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona

Miguel really made Barcelona come alive with his vast knowledge of the city - both the people and the buildings!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day trip to Medieval Girona and Costa Brava

Barcelona

Manu was a blast! His connections made for a really enjoyable trip to off-the-beaten path places.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Insider's Old Madrid Tour

Madrid

Jorge really made us feel like locals as we strolled through the streets of Madrid!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Train Madrid to Segovia, Guided Visit of Segovia, Train Segovia to Madrid

Madrid

Elena brought us to magical, out of the way places on our tour!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Flamenco Experience

Spain

Such an intimate environment with a passionate performance!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Visit of Seville

Seville

Pablo was fantastic! His vast knowledge really brought us back in time through Seville's history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Madrid’s Royal Palace Private Tour

Madrid

Geza was great! He really pointed out all of the things that would have escaped our notice.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marta was an amazing agent to work with. Very responsive, pays attention to detail, and did a great job taking into consideration our preferences and constraints. Have highly recommended KimKim to our friends and family because of Marta's excellent work. read more

Marta was an amazing agent to work with. Very responsive, pays attention to detail, and did a great job taking into consideration our preferences and constraints. Have highly recommended KimKim to our friends and family because of Marta's excellent work.

We admittedly were nervous entering our first experience with KimKim, not knowing whether the scheduled drivers and guides actually show up, what would the tours really be like, what about the hotels, would the restaurant reservations actually be reserved? Not to worry! Everything went exactly as scheduled, all drivers and guides were exceptional, the hotels were great (one spectacular), and the food astounding., and Marta was there every step of the way. The overall experience could not be... read more

We admittedly were nervous entering our first experience with KimKim, not knowing whether the scheduled drivers and guides actually show up, what would the tours really be like, what about the hotels, would the restaurant reservations actually be reserved? Not to worry! Everything went exactly as scheduled, all drivers and guides were exceptional, the hotels were great (one spectacular), and the food astounding., and Marta was there every step of the way. The overall experience could not be better. PS: We want especially to thank Marta for somehow getting us a New Year's eve reservation at José María after we had failed. It was a truly spectacular culinary experience. Marta is remarkable! Thank you.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Rector

Salamanca

This is a very small, boutique hotel is a perfect location related to the historic heart of Salamanca. The service was personalized and exceptional. The rooms were beautiful and well-appointed. We were greeted with champaign and some special treat every night. This is one of the best hotels we have experienced anywhere we have travelled. We cannot recommend it too highly.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful throughout; with very classy art and decoration.

Location

Staff

Carried bags to room before we knew they were gone. Nothing they would not do to be helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Simply perfect!

Hotel Palacio de Valderrábanos

Ávila

Perfectly located right next to the Cathedral in the heart of the old city. Nothing fancy, but very pleasant.

Authenticity & Character

In historic structure well repurposed.

Location

Could not be better located.

Staff

Professional and accommodating. Expect to carry your own luggage.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel San Antonio El Real

Segovia

We initially thought that the hotel was badly placed, outside the walls of the old city. It turned out to be a perfect location to follow the Roman aqueduct into town. For those with cars, it actually has a parking lot, which you will not find in the city center.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Expect to carry your own luggage. Facility with English was helpful. Accommodating in every way.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nothing special, but pleasant.

Hotel Madrid Alameda Aeropuerto, Affiliated by Meliá

Madrid

Much higher quality, more pleasant and less generic than your average airport hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

10 minutes to the terminal. In a neighborhood of apartment residences.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

This was the highpoint of our two weeks in Iberia. Coming from California wine country, BUT already hooked on Duoro red wines, we were not prepared for the steep hillsides and rugged beauty of the river. Second, the specific driver, Rui, was remarkable: Personable, knowledgeable, and responsive. He specifically approved of the choice of Quintos de S. Tiago in Mesâo Frio, which on the outside is a dump that no-one would pull off and visit on their own--burned out buildings, junky driveway, humblest of houses. But, upon entering the house through an open-hearth kitchen, we knew we were in for something special. The food, the wine, the atmosphere, and the host made this the Quinta an unforgettable experience. Keep using Rui and this particular Quinta.

Quality of Experience

It rained all day, and we didn't care. Even the river cruise was perfect.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everything you could want in a driver--and more. He really opened up after he became familiar with us.

Transport

Guided Visit of Salamanca

Spain

Our guide met us in a timely manner at the hotel and walked us through the University and Cathedral and associated areas. She was delightful, but overly detailed about things that interested her and not necessarily sensitive to whether or not it interested us. She was particularly absorbed with esoteric marginalia about the university. Eventually, after the tour was 30 minutes longer than scheduled, we (gently, I hope) asked her if we could have the opportunity to explore on our own.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Didn't like: Driver knew very little about stops along the way.

Guided Visit of Ávila

Spain

With certificates in tourism and theology, our guide provided the perfect introduction to Avila and its two saints--Teresa and Juan de la Cruz. He quickly picked up our interest in them and shaped the tour and his message to our interests. For instance, at the chapel built in the room where Teresa probably was born, he emphasized the holiness of the space, not the art of the chapel, and he asked if we wanted some time just to sit in prayer and contemplation; we did. He also recommended the monastery where Teresa had trained and lived, and we found it to be a deeply moving experience. I was in the museum business for 40 years, and I deeply appreciated the simple presentations, the unprotected access to the "things," and the freedom to explore on our own time. Our guide reflected that receptive and trusting attitude and helped us discover meaning and treasures beyond the formal tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The tour guide provided the perfect introduction and shaped it to our obvious interests as we went. He was responsive and suggestive, with great integrity.

Transport

Privately Guided Visit of Segovia

Spain

This was the most traditional tour of the trip. The handed us ear plugs, spoke into a microphone, and largely led with her back to us. She would have fit as a tour guide in San Francisco. At the same time, she provided a marvelous orientation to the city, not too detailed, but with enough off the wall items--like the first book published in Spanish--to make it fascinating. A special commendation: When she informed us that the Cathedral was closed New Year's Eve (the day of our tour) and New Year's Day, we noted that January 1st was a Sunday, she called a friend to check on service times, which we attended the next day. That is the kind of personal responsiveness you would seldom receive on a tour in the United States. She also helped us plan our walking for the next day. We are grateful for her tour and assistance.

Quality of Experience

There is so very, very much packed into this small city.

Quality of Experience

There is so very, very much packed into this small city.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transport

Overall it was a great experience traveling with KimKim as our tour company and Marta was absolutely great. Loved all the communication tools and apps the company uses - very user friendly and easy access to the tour guides.
The only thing I would mention is to include more detailed explanation of the tour itself for example what exactly is included in the tour so that the client knows how to ask for customization.
Also please make note that the lady driver that took us from Porto to... read more

Overall it was a great experience traveling with KimKim as our tour company and Marta was absolutely great. Loved all the communication tools and apps the company uses - very user friendly and easy access to the tour guides.
The only thing I would mention is to include more detailed explanation of the tour itself for example what exactly is included in the tour so that the client knows how to ask for customization.
Also please make note that the lady driver that took us from Porto to Lisbon did not speak much English and we did not find her to be a safe driver. The ride was rough with her.
Thank you 🙏🏼

Hotel Review

Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa – A Leading hotel of the world

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bathrooms need much improvement. The water from the shower went to the floors because there is not enough barrier

Activity Reviews

Day Excursion to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Porto

Vintage Car Tour of Porto

Porto

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

Private Day Excursion to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

Lisbon

Our trip to Portugal over the wintertime was fabulous and we are back with some wonderful memories and a good understanding of Portugal.
With exaggeration, Our family loved every minute of it. The accommodation suited as very well as with the entire itinerary . Our guides throughout were fabulous and were very insightful.
The local trips to Douro Valley, Sintra and rural Algarve will leave us with long lasting memories of the regions I would highly recommend this to other... read more

Our trip to Portugal over the wintertime was fabulous and we are back with some wonderful memories and a good understanding of Portugal.
With exaggeration, Our family loved every minute of it. The accommodation suited as very well as with the entire itinerary . Our guides throughout were fabulous and were very insightful.
The local trips to Douro Valley, Sintra and rural Algarve will leave us with long lasting memories of the regions I would highly recommend this to other tourists.

Once again, thank you very much to Marta for the planning and for being with us through the journey. I will most definitely return for another trip with you.

We really enjoyed the pace and activities on our trip. The kids were not looking forward to the walking tour in Spain but Beatriz made it so much fun. The cooking class in Seville was wonderful too. So much fun for the whole family. The train rides to each destination was fun too. Between Seville and Granda we hiked/walked Caminito Del Rey. The kids really enjoyed this adventure. Each place we visited had something unique and memorable. read more

We really enjoyed the pace and activities on our trip. The kids were not looking forward to the walking tour in Spain but Beatriz made it so much fun. The cooking class in Seville was wonderful too. So much fun for the whole family. The train rides to each destination was fun too. Between Seville and Granda we hiked/walked Caminito Del Rey. The kids really enjoyed this adventure. Each place we visited had something unique and memorable.

Hotel Reviews

Dear Hotel Madrid

Madrid

Great location in the city. The accommodations for a family of four were good. Great breakfast!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very professional and nice

Cleanliness & Comfort

Petit Palace Puerta de Triana

Seville

Seemed out dated. Rooms were small and had tile floors. Would recommend a small carpet by the bed. Bathrooms and rooms need makeovers. Breakfast was lacking. Staff were great and rooms seemed clean however.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eurostars Puerta Real Hotel

Granada

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Madrid for Kids - Walking Tour with Activities & Snacks

Madrid

Beatriz is absolutely awesome! We had so much fun on this tour. We highly recommend.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Flamenco Experience

Spain

Was fun to watch. Was one hour in length. We wish the couple would have danced more together as they spent a considerable amount of time dancing solo. Other than that, they put on a good show.

Family Tour of the Alhambra

Granada

Alberto was our guide. He is very knowledgeable about everything. This was a good thing and a bad thing as he would talk forever about tiny details. The kids got bored very quickly with our pace.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Traditional Andalusian Market Visit & Cooking Class

Seville

Such a fun thing to do as a family. We are vegetarian and they helped us make dishes without meat. The kids were awesome and tried everything they made!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our destination specialist, Marta Trzeciakowska was amazing and did a great job in planning; reacting to our itinerary change requests, responded to any questions in a timely manner (very responsive), and available to assist when last minute coordination was required to unavoidable weather implications.

During our 9-day trip to Portugal, 3 days in Porto and 6 days on the island of Madeira, each and every planned event was amazing - a lifetime of memories. The guides who hosted our family... read more

Our destination specialist, Marta Trzeciakowska was amazing and did a great job in planning; reacting to our itinerary change requests, responded to any questions in a timely manner (very responsive), and available to assist when last minute coordination was required to unavoidable weather implications.

During our 9-day trip to Portugal, 3 days in Porto and 6 days on the island of Madeira, each and every planned event was amazing - a lifetime of memories. The guides who hosted our family of 7 on walking tours with various food tastings, wine tasting events in both the Douro Valley and Madeira, site seeing across the beauty of Madeira that included 4-wheel off road fun and mystical/magical views ...just cannot compliment enough on their fun personalities, flexibility, joy and laughter enjoyed by all.

Ce'lia Dias led a tour of Porto while raining, and yet the rain did not matter due to sites seen, fun and vibrant personality and flexibility due to late weather arrival.

Nelson spent about 8 hours with our family (7) leading the site seeing, wine tasting and family hosted meal through Douro Valley. What a day and the intimate experience of a meal and sharing Port/wine with a local experience was amazing.

While on the island of Madeira, two amazing day trips were enjoyed in 4-wheel drive vehicles (adventuremadeira.com) to Porto Moniz, Seixal's lava pools and Cabo Girao glass balcony with 580+ mt drop.... aaaaaahhhhhhhh. Francisco was our tour guide for 2 days and was Amazing - 5-stars!!! He was accomodating to needs of family members, flexible, so much fun and entertaining while throughout the events which also included a 4-wheel journey that was exhilarating and yet safe.

I can go on and on, Jacqueline led the family on a walking tour of the city market which concluded with a cooking experience which included savory food, wine, a delicious dessert and a chef who was skilled, artistic, creative and led us through a mouth-watering experience of delicious dishes.

This was our second trip planned and coordinated by Kim Kim. The first was a 9-day trip through Greece. Both have left us with lifetime memories and I highly recommend the organization as a trust worthy group with fantastic specialists and Services.

Very satisfying experience with our specialist Marta. She made sure to understand our goals and wishes for the trip, and was very accommodating in assisting us in fine tuning the itinerary so that we got the most of the trip. We were so happy with kimkim’s process that we’ve already scheduled another trip with them! Moreover, we have recommended kimkim to friends, and will continue to do so.

The kimkim process was simple yet thorough, and working with Marta was rewarding. We enjoyed the... read more

Very satisfying experience with our specialist Marta. She made sure to understand our goals and wishes for the trip, and was very accommodating in assisting us in fine tuning the itinerary so that we got the most of the trip. We were so happy with kimkim’s process that we’ve already scheduled another trip with them! Moreover, we have recommended kimkim to friends, and will continue to do so.

The kimkim process was simple yet thorough, and working with Marta was rewarding. We enjoyed the flexibility of being given suggestions, then identifying which components of the itinerary were most appealing. She helped us pick activities we might not have thought of on our own, and was great to communicate with during our time in country. If we had planned the entire trip ourselves, the amount of choices about what to do and where to stay would have been overwhelming. Using Marta, Espiritu, and kimkim, we had an excellent set of experiences and will look back fondly on this trip for many years to come.

Hi Marta, Thank you so much for our vacation. It was outstanding. Anne Lynne and I appreciated every detail, and wouldn’t change a thing. Everything flowed so smoothly, thanks to you, which is no small feat when traveling ! We enjoyed a perfect mix of nature, culture, history, art, hiking and exploring, food and wine, music and adventure. The iPhone app you provided was terrific, making communication and logistics seamless. Our guides informative, professional and really interesting. We... read more

Hi Marta, Thank you so much for our vacation. It was outstanding. Anne Lynne and I appreciated every detail, and wouldn’t change a thing. Everything flowed so smoothly, thanks to you, which is no small feat when traveling ! We enjoyed a perfect mix of nature, culture, history, art, hiking and exploring, food and wine, music and adventure. The iPhone app you provided was terrific, making communication and logistics seamless. Our guides informative, professional and really interesting. We will certainly use kimkim again and recommend it to friends and family too. Very best, Melody

Hotel Review

Vincci Baixa

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Sintra Heritage Hike: Hidden Secrets

Portugal

Guide was perfect. Hike, picnic, history, nature excellent

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I can’t remember what Marta arranged or what I arranged so I will tell you our favorites with only one negative.
Cuenca - great tour with Daniel
Cartegena - we did not enjoy our time with
Gemma
Venice - great hotel Helen Berger, good bike tour, great restaurant Tagomago
Girona - excellent history & food tour with Gina
Huesca - amazing Castello de Corvinos
San Sebastián - excellent hotel Villa Favorita, excellent tour with Diego
read more

I can’t remember what Marta arranged or what I arranged so I will tell you our favorites with only one negative.
Cuenca - great tour with Daniel
Cartegena - we did not enjoy our time with
Gemma
Venice - great hotel Helen Berger, good bike tour, great restaurant Tagomago
Girona - excellent history & food tour with Gina
Huesca - amazing Castello de Corvinos
San Sebastián - excellent hotel Villa Favorita, excellent tour with Diego

Activity Reviews

San Sebastian Pintxo Experience

San Sebastián

This tour was cancelled for us prior to our trip but I would book it with Diego if we go back.

Hiking Cuervo River and Callejones de las Majadas

Cuenca

Daniel was a great guide. Nice to get out & walk. Went a little long.

Privately Guided Tour of Cartagena

Cartagena

Our guide seemed quite nervous & uncomfortable & had a hard time answering specific questions. We moved much slower than we wanted.

Hiking through Mount Galeras + Christmas Fort

Cartagena

We did not hike but took the boat which was fine. Same problems with the guide as the other tour.

Valencia Seightseeing Bike Tour

Valencia

Excellent guide, good speed of tour, good information, felt safe riding

Food & Market Tour

Girona

Our favorite. Gina was great & we did have a very compatible group. The places we stopped were diverse & were well prepared & awaiting us. Wouldn’t want to change a thing.

Guided Visit of San Sebastian

San Sebastián

Diego gave us an excellent tour of the city with lots of interesting information. We moved quickly which works best for us. Would love to go on another tour with him.

Susan and I have had a wonderful time exploring Granada, Ronda, Seville and Cordoba, thanks to Martha's professional planning and organising of our trip.
Which place was our favourite? That is very difficult to say, as all four places held something special and are a 'must see'.
We loved the choice of hotels which were all in the perfect location for getting about to see all the sights. We took on some of your recommendations for where to eat which was very helpful.
The guided tours and... read more

Susan and I have had a wonderful time exploring Granada, Ronda, Seville and Cordoba, thanks to Martha's professional planning and organising of our trip.
Which place was our favourite? That is very difficult to say, as all four places held something special and are a 'must see'.
We loved the choice of hotels which were all in the perfect location for getting about to see all the sights. We took on some of your recommendations for where to eat which was very helpful.
The guided tours and guides were highly professional and knowledgeable. Without them, we wouldn't have come away from the trip with all the interesting information we received and I don't think a guide book can compete with having a very knowledgeable local guide. If I have to say something, we missed having a guided tour in Cordoba.
The tour taking us through the scented areas of Granada was so special and different and we love the scents we were given at the end - what a surprise!
Many thanks to Marta and Karenina who were there throughout our trip supporting us.
I would definitely recommend KimKim and travel with them again.
With all best wishes,
Gillian Mitchell

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Comfort Dauro 2

Granada

Good, clean place that covers the basics but the lack of regular receptionists was confusing. However, the bar people were super helpful, as was the general manager, who provided us with a picnic because we had to miss breakfast one day!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Access to public transport

Staff

Very nice once located

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super clean

Hotel Montelirio

Ronda

Beautiful hotel in style with the surroundings we'd come to visit. Incredible views from my bed of the gorge!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sacristia Santa Ana

Seville

A converted church with lovely features and atmosphere. We had a patio off our roo which was a real bonus. Breakfast was the best of all hotels as it wasn't your usual breakfast buffet.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Visit of Granada Through Its Scents

Granada

I loved this tour. It was different and our guide was excellent and we were presented with a box of different scents.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens

Spain

This was an amazing tour - not to be missed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Spanish Cooking Experience

Granada

So much fun and our cookery teacher Rocio was so knowledgable about local produce and where to eat and shop. I will definitely try some of the recipes myself.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking Tour of Ronda

Ronda

Our guide Jose Antonio was extremely knowledgeable about his home town. Beautiful place and so much to see. Spectacular views.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Visit of Seville

Seville

Teresa was our guide and she brought the history of the areas of Seville alive. She told and showed us so many little details we would never have found out ourselves. She is highly knowledgeable about her home city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Train Seville to Córdoba, Self Guided Visit of Córdoba, Train Córdoba to Seville

Spain

Cordoba is beautiful, but I think we missed quite a lot as this was a self guided tour, so I would definitely recommend a guided tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We could not be more pleased with the trip that Marta arranged for us to visit Portugal. From our time in Lisbon, our spectacular hike along the coast in the Sintra Region and our final days in Porto, we were consistently impressed with the high levels of service, the lovely accommodations and the ease of executing the trip as planned via the travel App. We were able to stay in touch with Marta the entire time and she was always available to connect with us if we had any questions. We... read more

We could not be more pleased with the trip that Marta arranged for us to visit Portugal. From our time in Lisbon, our spectacular hike along the coast in the Sintra Region and our final days in Porto, we were consistently impressed with the high levels of service, the lovely accommodations and the ease of executing the trip as planned via the travel App. We were able to stay in touch with Marta the entire time and she was always available to connect with us if we had any questions. We found the Tour group for our hike to be exceptionally kind and flexible. We had a possibility of poor weather and every day; the team was willing to reschedule pick up's and or modify our trek so we could avoid any issues. The GPS App for the treks was very easy to use and we were able to follow along the paths with confidence. We want to say a special thanks to Marta as she was EXTREMELY helpful to us as we had to delay our trip slightly. She graciously helped us to reschedule all of our plans and we could not have been more grateful for her patience. We have used KimKim in the past and we will absolutely use them for our next trip.

Marta and Karin were amazing to work with. They were patient, ultra responsive and accommodating. It was a relaxed trip with lots of time for us to explore on our own and at our pace, given that we were traveling with a 5 year old. All the excursions were well timed to beat the crowds and the hotels were very conveniently located. As vegetarians, Marta made it a point to let the hosts know and also made some nice recommendations for local vegetarian friendly spots.
This was our second time planning with KimKim and we'd certainly do it again.

We had a 7 day trip to North Portugal booked in June but due to personal circumstances had to change it to early September. Marta was very understanding and helped us reorganize all the bookings.
We started off in Porto and had a good introduction into the city - doing a food tour , followed by an e-bike tour. We got opportunity to view the city ourselves and had a lot of great recommendations on what to do/ and where to eat. We also got to do different things like go to the National park!... read more

We had a 7 day trip to North Portugal booked in June but due to personal circumstances had to change it to early September. Marta was very understanding and helped us reorganize all the bookings.
We started off in Porto and had a good introduction into the city - doing a food tour , followed by an e-bike tour. We got opportunity to view the city ourselves and had a lot of great recommendations on what to do/ and where to eat. We also got to do different things like go to the National park! The highlight of the trip was the trip to Douro valley where we stayed at a vineyard and did a few wine tastings around the different Quinta's. Thiago was a great guide taking us across the various quintas, with a boat ride and a celebratory drink at an awesome view point.

Hotel Reviews

Premium Porto Downtown

Porto

The hotel was clean and functional and close to a lot of restaurants. The breakfast had a wide spread and service was quite prompt.

Authenticity & Character

Apart from the food, not really sure there was character/authenticity to the hotel.

Location

Was good walking distance to most of the tourist spots

Staff

Very prompt service and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Quinta Da Timpeira

Lamego

The overall look and feel of the Quinta is that of a period property with heavy antique furniture. We had a bigger room as that was the only one available so had the option of twin or a double bed. The quinta had lovely grounds, with a garden and a swimming pool though we were never around long enough to enjoy the grounds as much. The dinner we had there was quite homely and had large portions.

Authenticity & Character

Had the charm of a period property

Location

The only way to get around was by car- which was arranged for us but would have been hard otherwise.

Staff

Attentive and willing to help

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were clean but because of the heavy furniture and low ceiling it did feel very dark and dinghy in the evenings. Would have liked option of tea/coffee in the room.

OPOHotel Porto Aeroporto

Maia

For spending a night before our flight the next day morning - this hotel was perfect. Functional with all the basics and quite large rooms.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great for the airport and they offered free shuttle.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Foodie Experience in Porto

Porto

Claudia was a very enthusiastic and warm guide and made the tour really enjoyable. Not to mention all the food we tried was amazing and was nice to hear the stories behind them. loved that we got to try most of the city's famous dishes over the course of this tour and the company was great.

Quality of Experience

All the food options and the guide!

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Claudia was really warm and followed up with recommendations and trip photos!

Get to know Porto by E-bike

Porto

Didnt know what to expect but was great! Apart from the first few minutes of fumbling around on how how to use the bike, the rest of actually biking was quite smooth. We covered a lot of ground and got to see some great views....and also catch in some exercise. An electric bike is probably the best way to see the city though I did get a sore backside due to all the pebbled roads!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Porto

We enjoyed the serenity of the national park and opportunity to do a bit of trek and bathe in the clear pool of water which was followed by a great lunch. The second half of the day had a walk through the village and a another mini trek to another waterfall with a further opportunity to swim. I was probably the least fit person of the group - but the guide made sure we went at a decent pace. Maybe two swims was not required as they were people in our group who were not keen on swimming and we could have done a viewing point instead.

Quality of Experience

The parts we liked - were opportunity to trek and swim and the food was good. There were also good breaks in between the drive which was helpful. Didnt enjoy as much the walk around the village

Food

The lunch served in the village was good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all our questions about the park as she had lived within the park herself.

Transport

The car was a bit old and since it was packed with 7 people with a good 3-4 hours on the road - not entirely comfortable for people with long legs.

Wine Cellar Guided Visit with Lunch

Douro Valley

This was the highlight of the trip - was a very relaxed experience of getting a tour of the process of wine making and getting an opportunity to taste quite a few of the wines at the quinta. Our guide Rui also made it really memorable.

Quality of Experience

The tour, wines and the setting was great.

Food

It was little light on the food as compared to the other places but still good!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Had some really good conversations with Rui.

Wine Experience in the Douro Valley & River Cruise

Douro Valley

Was a great day filled with a opportunity to taste and see a bit of behind the scenes of winemaking and wine tasting at one Quinta , followed by a set lunch paired with different wines at another. The post food coma stage was great time to do the river cruise down the Douro and we got whisked to another amazing view point for a further celebratory drink! Thiago was very informative and so pleasant to be around.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport