Coraima Yañez

With a large family group of 9, including a mix of adults and teenagers, it was great to have our trip to Spain planned for us including transfers, train tickets, and hotels. The excursions we particularly enjoyed were the TukTuk tour in Madrid, the Gaudi experience tour in Barcelona and the cooking lesson with Maria at Solera, her private kitchen location. The KimKim specialist met with us and then set up activities based upon our preferences. Many things we would not have known to do on our own. Having someone familiar with the locations made all the difference!

With one exception, everything ran very smoothly. All the guides were highly knowledgeable, and we enjoyed each of the hotels. I was amazed at the size of the Mezquita in Cordoba, and we got to the Generalife in the Alhambra right when it opened, so I have numerous pictures without any other people in them! Special kudos to our driver/guide Carlos of Not Just A Tourist on the Ronda day trip. He was informed, solicitous, and funny. The glitch: the train you reserved for the Cordoba-Granada leg did not run the day we planned, so I had to book one leaving three hours later and tell our afternoon guide we wouldn’t be there for the tour. Be sure to recheck shortly before. But again,, overall it was well organized by kimkim.

It was really easy to work with Coraima in planning our trip to Spain. We worked with a team to make sure our trip went smoothly. We are really glad to have worked with KimKim.

Hotel Reviews

Gran Hotel Havana

Barcelona

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Intelier Palacio San Martín

Madrid

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Gaudí Experience with La Sagrada Família & Park Güell

Barcelona

The app gave two different locations as a meeting spot so it was little confusing. We had to call the tour guide company to clarify the meeting spot.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Family-Friendly Royal Palace Visit

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

There is no transport. It was a walking tour.

Self-Guided Retiro Park Walk

Madrid

Quality of Experience

Self-Guided Walk in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

Barcelona

The locations on the tour are great. Since it was our first day in Barcelona, a walking map from the hotel to each locations would have been helpful.

Quality of Experience

Private Day Trip to Costa Brava's Coastal Villages

Barcelona

Our guide was excellent and knowledgeable about the location. We would have been nice to have some time at certain location play on the water and rocks.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Self-Guided Local Markets Trip

Madrid

Quality of Experience

My wife and I signed up to go on a transatlantic cruise from Spain to the US. Since we had to fly to Spain we thought we would take advantage and spend a week in Spain prior to boarding the cruise in Barcelona. I did an internet search of travel agencies that specialized in Spain and Kimkim was one of the ones that popped up. I sent the request and a short time later I was contacted by one of their representatives by the name of Coraima. She was one of their Spain specialists. We discussed the things we would like to do, see and experience while on our trip. She took the information and said she would get back to us with some options. The next day she sent us various options and suggestions to review. After we reviewed them, we discussed with her which ones we preferred and which hotels we were interested in reviewing. Shortly thereafter she sent us a revised itinerary to review. After a couple of tweaks we finalized the trip details. She also made sure that our passports were current and other such details. This was about a month prior to the departure date, As the date became closer she and another agent named Summer would keep in contact to make sure that everything was proceeding according to plan. They were also very responsive in answering any questions that we may have thought of during the period leading up to the departure date.
In one instance the tour company we had booked a tour with had to cancel our scheduled tour at the last minute due to the venue having to close on the day we were to tour. Summer quickly notified us and shuffled our itinerary so that we could still do the tour we desired.

There is always concern when you select a travel agency “in the blind” without a recommendation from someone that you trust. In this case we could not be more pleased with the results. Both Coraima and Summer demonstrated a complete knowledge and understanding of the areas we wanted to visit. They perfectly balanced a professional attitude with a very friendly demeanor. They were always responsive in a timely manner and very patient with our numerous questions. During the trip they contacted us through the Kimkim app to make sure everything was going per plan and that we didn’t run into any problems. We can’t praise and thank them enough for their efforts which resulted in the perfect trip we hoped for when we first planned it. We would not hesitate to use them again should the opportunity arise nor hesitate to recommend them to anyone who asked our opinion of Kimkim.

Hotel Reviews

Room Mate Alba

Madrid

Room was nice . Breakfast was ok but nothing unique. We would satay here again

Authenticity & Character

Location

Conveniently located

Staff

Very friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gran Hotel Havana

Barcelona

Great hotel. Breakfast offered many different options.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Centrally located. Taxi stand right outside

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Malasaña Flamenco Experience

Madrid

Excellent show

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Took a taxi so not much to say

Penedès Vineyards, Wines & Tapas Day Trip

Barcelona

Tour was ok, but we went in the spring so there wasn't much to see in the vineyard. Vines were pruned so no activity. This tour would be better later in the year when the grapes were picked and wine being made. The wine tasting and the Tapas were delicious

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Short Prado Museum Visit with Skip-the-Line Ticket

Madrid

Excellent tour. Primarily due to the tour guide (Maria). She was very knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and made this very enjoyable

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Took taxi so not much to say

Gothic Quarter Tapas Walk

Barcelona

This was one of the best tours we took. Excellent guide who was very knowledgeable not only of the tapas but also the history of the area. Highly recommend

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

took taxi so not much to say

Park Güell & La Sagrada Família Experience

Barcelona

The La Sagrada tour was very good. Guide was very knowledgeable. It is a 5 for the La Sagrada and less for the Park Guell. We did the park at night and it was very cold so we couldn't enjoy it as much

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transport was not part of the tour. However where the Park tour ended there wasn't any taxis or buses available. Tried calling a taxi but I guess he got lost. Finally a taxi showed up and there client never showed so he took us.

Guide Joao in Evora was amazing. He had lots of good information and we learned alot about the history of the city. We took a tour of a wine estate that was also superior. The guide there drove us around the estate, telling in detail about cork production and olive oil production, showing us the animals on the estate and capping the visit off with a wine tasting that was truly one of the nicest wine tasting I've ever participated in. We were seated outside with a gorgeous view, tasted numerous wines and had delicious cheeses to sample We also had a walnut tasting as the nuts are also raised in the vineyard.
OUr guide in Belem was named Rui. He had a vast store of knowledge of not only the monument, Belem tower and the Monastery but also the history of portugal and its role in Europe's wars.
Upon the advice of Coraima we drove through Arrabida Park on our way to Lisbon. The views were breathtaking. Well worth the extra time it took.
Finally our food tour was fun and educational. Our guide (can't remember her name) was great at explaining the food but also the history of the neighborhoods we were walking through.

Hotel Reviews

MouraSuites Hotel

Largo da Porta de Moura, 7000-647 Évora, Portugal

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Hotel Britania Art Deco

Lisbon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Alentejo Farm and Winery Experience

Évora

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From Palaces to the Edge of Europe – Sintra & Cabo da Roca

Lisbon

The interaction between our local guide and the guide inside the Pena Palace was awkward. They had just changed the "rules" and weren't allowing the local guides to conduct the tour inside. There was obvious resentment about the change and it was a bit uncomfortable. Otherwise our guide tried very hard to accommodate us and show us everything we wanted to see.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Portuguese Food Walk

Lisbon

great guide fun couple that we shared the food tour with

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Alfama Walk & Fado Dinner Performance

Lisbon

Driver made us late to dinner The restaurant owner sat us in a corner and didn't ignored us for the most part. We didn't eat or drink till almost 10 pm. The food was OK. I would not recommend this particular restaurant or driver.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Really overall an amazing 2 week trip with many wonderful experiences. The knowledge and support from the Kimkim team was impeccable and took so much stress away from travel. The Kim team seemed to think of just about everything.

Our trip seemed to ratchet up at every stop. We began in Lisbon to get settle and oriented. The balance of tour and free time was important. Great guides.

Next by train Coimbra added more about history, the university and town. The trip to Aveiro was interesting and the guide superb. However, we could pass on this one and replace with a trip to Conigriba to see the Roman ruins.

Another train to Porto with enough free time to see much of the city. A fabulous guide (university professor) the next day helped us really understand the history of the area. The highlight of the trip was the next day to the Duoro valley - the driver/guide took us to a winery, maybe the best lunch we had for the entire trip on a hilltop, a ride down the Duoro river and back to another winery. Felt really special even though this was our largest group (7).

The drive to Sintra was the right choice versus a couple different trains. A whirlwind tour of three palaces the next day was good although we wish we had a more knowledgeable guide. (There are certified guides in Portugal who must study for 3 years, take tests, etc. ).

Cascais was amazing and another highlight in itself. The guide the next day was wonderful with a trip to the coast (Cabo da Roca - end of the world AKA western most point in Europe) and took us to a small local beach not far”on the tour” which may only be known by locals.

Transfers were all seamless. Thank you

Accommodations all had breakfast included:
Lisbon we booked ourselves - Ivens Hotel with a wonderful restaurant attached
Coimbra - Quinta das Lagrimas - hotel needs some updating but the former Michelin star restaurant was a nice surprise
Porto - Menina Colina Guesthouse was our favorite with an amazing room and hosts. Wanted to live in for a month
Sintra Marmóris Palace with the best view of all - Sintra and the moorish castle . Very accommodating and wine and cheese (and Fado!) in the afternoon
Cascais - Pergola hotel has beautiful grounds although the room was the most basic on the trip. Breakfast was excellent although we did not dine in the restaurant - too many better choices!

Hotel Reviews

The Ivens, Autograph Collection

Lisbon

Fantastic hotel with the best restaurant attached. Breakfast was the best of the entire trip.

Authenticity & Character

Right in a neighborhood but also quite

Location

Staff

Tanya at Rocco was fantastic

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas

Coimbra

Hotel in need of updating. Long walk to room and from room to dining. The grounds and gardens are pretty special. Not an easy place to walk from or to the town

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

30 year old carpet (it appeared) and might need a deep clean of the rooms

Menina Colina Guesthouse

Porto

Highlight of our trip. Amazing location, quiet. Staff were super.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sintra Marmoris Palace

Sintra

Very unique place, short walk to town. Staff amazingly helpful. Wine and cheese in the afternoon with Fado one day. We had a suite with external access. Quite. Beautiful

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pergola Boutique Hotel

Cascais

Beautiful grounds and wonderful staff. Breakfast was great. However, room was the smallest and most basic. In addition, while it did overlook the garden, it also overlooked the restaurant which plays music and is fairly loud until 11pm. Might have been better in a room facing the back. Also, room was on the second floor so might be tough for some climbing stairs and carrying luggage

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Portugal’s Little Venice: A Day in Aveiro & the Colorful Coast

Coimbra

Guide was excellent. Experience was mixed at best. Aveiro is a very nice town. Highlight were the salt ponds and seeing the workers up close, Costa Nova (although empty this time of year). The town and canals not really worth it. The “gondolas” don’t go anywhere and the canals don’t even connect.

Quality of Experience

Food

Really just had a coffee

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Learned a lot from Eva

Transport

Explore Cascais & Beyond – Cascais & Cabo da Roca

Cascais

Certified guide, another Luís, who was fantastic, great driver, even took us to an local beach

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Self-Guided Viewpoints Adventure

Lisbon

Needed downtime and exploration. Added the convent de Carmo Which was amazing

Quality of Experience

São Jorge Castle Visit

Lisbon

Certified guide, Rui, was excellent. Lot of walking and stapes but really helped to orient to place and history

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rui was wonderful

Private Tuk-Tuk Experience Along the 28 Tram Route

Lisbon

Pretty fun and good to be sitting. Saw a ton of the city we might not have otherwise.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Catolina was very fun (from Chile)

Transport

Tad bumping but fun

Private Joanina Library & University of Coimbra Visit

Coimbra

Certified guide. Really interesting regarding the university. The guide was a graduate.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Eva was very knowledgeable

Transport

We took a taxi to the starting location. Would have been a 45-60 min walk from hotel and mostly uphill

Sintra's Royal Treasures - QueLuz, Pena & National Palace

Sintra

The palaces were wonderful. This trip wears the only one without a certified (by Portugal) guide. The guide was very nice but seemed to be filling in for his son in law In addition, entrance fees were apparently not included for two locations despite assurances we had already paid. Kimkim was great in refunding rapidly. Thank you.

Quality of Experience

The palaces were amazing. Would be a 5 star with a more knowledgeable guide.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Luis was extremely nice and helpful. Knowledge was not to the level expected.

Transport

Private City Highlights Walk

Porto

Got a lay of the town. Great certified guide

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ana was wonderful, informative and helpful

Self-Guided Vila Nova de Gaia Port Lodges

Porto

Walked down to the Nova Gaia and toured the Calem Lodge. Best view of Porto from across the river.

Quality of Experience

Did this the day we arrived

Douro Valley Day Trip with Wine Tastings & River Cruise

Porto

Can we give more than 5 stars? Best overall day in Portugal. Ended up joining a wine club and could have spent a few days there. Wine liver paradise. So scenic!

Quality of Experience

Food

Amazing lunch! One of the best meals we had

Guides, Drivers and Staff

David was excellent as driver

Transport

Hi Coraima,

I apologize for the delayed review! You are fantastic to work with and we had the best time in Barcelona because of the itinerary you built for us. Thank you again!

The Spain vacation was wonderful thanks to Coraima and the KimKim team. They made great recommendations and their responsiveness and reliability was excellent. I would definitely consider using your services for future trips.

It was an amazing memorable trip. Couldn't have asked for more to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Coraima and Summer were super helpful leading up to the trip, building the perfect itinerary and assisting with changes through the trip. Hotels were very comfortable, clean and we received great service. Special shout out to the guides (Tatiana, Ruth, Guadalupe, Alvaro and Carlos) were all awesome and took good care of us on the tours. One of the best trips we have had and highly recommended.