Kimkim Trip Reviews for Portugal

4.9
Based on 850 ratings
Read 850 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Portugal on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

The beautiful island of Madeira, a trip of a lifetime.
Portugal | Jul 16 - Jul 23, 2023

Kidianga
Kidianga T.
Biggs, CA | Reviewed on Aug 07, 2023
I had a wonderful and memorable time in Madeira, in particularly in Funchal. Marina did an exceptional job in selecting my hotels, activities, and guides. I spent three unforgettable days with Lido, from Green Devil Safari. I left the island with tears in my eyes because I wasn't sure that people as nice, accommodating, and generous as Lido still existed in this world. Both Marina and Lido were instrumental in creating memories that will last me a lifetime and beyond. I can't thank them... Read more

I had a wonderful and memorable time in Madeira, in particularly in Funchal. Marina did an exceptional job in selecting my hotels, activities, and guides. I spent three unforgettable days with Lido, from Green Devil Safari. I left the island with tears in my eyes because I wasn't sure that people as nice, accommodating, and generous as Lido still existed in this world. Both Marina and Lido were instrumental in creating memories that will last me a lifetime and beyond. I can't thank them enough. I will be back to the island soon, and I won't hesitate to hire the services of Marina and hopefully Lino. I want to thank them both from the bottom of my heart. My vacation on the beautiful island of Madeira well exceeded my expectations. Thank you, Marina.

Hotel Reviews
Castanheiro Boutique Hotel
Funchal

The room was extremely clean. The location was perfect, and the staff was exceptional.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The fact that it was at a walking distance from the promenade.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Eira Do Serrado Hotel & Spa
Funchal
Authenticity & Character
The view into the Valley of the Nuns was exceptional.
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Sail the Bay of Funchal: Dolphins, Whales & Cabo Girão Swim
Sail the Bay of Funchal: Dolphins, Whales & Cabo Girão Swim
Portugal

It was unfortunate that we got to see the dolphins just for a brief moment but I understand that there are very elusive.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Aug 09, 2023

Hi Kidianga, thank you for your kind words and feedback! I am so happy to hear you had a wonderful time during your time in Madeira, the island is indeed a true paradise. I will pass on your kind words to Lido. I hope you created lovely memories for a lifetime discovering Madeira, its gastronomy, and its people! I look forward to working with you on your next travel adventure :) Best regards from the Espiritu Travel family!

Great trip. Everything worked well and havin...
Portugal | Jul 22 - Jul 30, 2023

D
Diane W.
Coral Gables, FL | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2023
Great trip. Everything worked well and having a driver for pick up and between cities was wonderful. Tours were excellent with Anabel and Paula as our tour guides. Take a tour! Read more

Great trip. Everything worked well and having a driver for pick up and between cities was wonderful. Tours were excellent with Anabel and Paula as our tour guides. Take a tour!

Hotel Reviews
Vila Gale Ericeira
Mafra

Great hotel on the beach and close to town. Super staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casual Belle Epoque Lisboa
Lisbon

Great location!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Older hotel.
Eurostars Porto Douro
Porto

Great hotel! Rooftop bar overlooking the river. It is off to the side of downtown, but the location was terrific. A funicular is close by and it is right next to the double pedestrian bridge.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sintra Boutique Hotel
Sintra

Wonderful hotel and staff! Hotel is super nice!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Lisbon Jeronimos Monastery, Castle of San Jorge, Torre de Belem and Panoramic City Tour
Lisbon Jeronimos Monastery, Castle of San Jorge, Torre de Belem and Panoramic City Tour
Lisbon

Wonderful tour! Anabel was great! Very helpful to tour with a local who can navigate lines and point out the richness of the city!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monumental Porto Walking Tour
Monumental Porto Walking Tour
Porto

Paula was wonderful. Tour was great and wear sneakers! You will navigate windy, granite streets from hilltop to the river.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Tiernan O'Rourke Araujo
Tiernan
Tiernan O'Rourke Araujo
Local specialist in Galicia, Spain | Replied on Aug 01, 2023

Hi Diane,

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us! We are happy to hear that you had a great trip and enjoyed the tours with our exceptional drivers and guides- Anabel and Paula!

Thank you once again for choosing us for your trip, and we can't wait to welcome you back in the future for more exciting adventures.

Safe travels and see you soon!

Flexible itinerary
Portugal | Jul 21 - Jul 29, 2023

L
Leigh S.
Indian Trail, NC | Reviewed on Jul 30, 2023
Really liked that we could make adjustments to our itinerary according to our needs, e.g. switching up order of countries, adding on/ removing activities, etc.. Our favorite activities were the boat excursion in Lagos, the Douro River Wine Tasting & River Cruise in Porto, and the Fado evening in Lisbon. Least favorite was the Algarve Sunset Experience, mostly because it was extremely windy and therefore cold and we weren't dressed appropriately. Please let future guests know they MUST take a... Read more

Really liked that we could make adjustments to our itinerary according to our needs, e.g. switching up order of countries, adding on/ removing activities, etc.. Our favorite activities were the boat excursion in Lagos, the Douro River Wine Tasting & River Cruise in Porto, and the Fado evening in Lisbon. Least favorite was the Algarve Sunset Experience, mostly because it was extremely windy and therefore cold and we weren't dressed appropriately. Please let future guests know they MUST take a jacket and dress warmly for this! All in all it was a great experience and appreciate all of Rita's help coordinating it! I'll use Kimkim again!

Hotel Reviews
Be Poet Baixa Hotel
Lisbon

It was warm in the room. Air conditioning was insufficient and would not go below a certain point.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Porto Charming Hotel
Porto

Door was locked when we arrived and no one answered when we knocked. We had to call Kimkim for help to call the hotel and let us in. It was early afternoon, so during normal work hours. Very basic room. Bathroom shower not great. It was what you expect for a 3 star hotel though.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Mãe Lagos
Lagos

Amazing!! We absolutely loved this hotel! It was the highlight of our trip. Such a great vibe, food was good, property was beautiful. Loved all the health and wellness touches, like herbal tea, relaxing music, lavendar sachet for under your pillow. The welcome wine was great, as well as all the treats they left in the morning and at evening turn down. They kept the towels, water, coffee bar, etc. replenished twice a day. Highly recommend this hotel!!

Authenticity & Character
Wonderful, as per the overall review.
Location
Loved the Lagos town. Great hiking and beaches nearby.
Staff
Very professional and attentive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room and the whole premises were super clean. Bed was comfortable, and all the spaces (dining area, pool, etc.) were relaxing and comfortable.
Activity Reviews
Foodie Experience in Porto
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

We definitely enjoyed it. Guide was very friendly and wanted to ensure we had a good experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Douro Valley Highlights: Wine, Olive Oil & River Cruise
Douro Valley Highlights: Wine, Olive Oil & River Cruise
Porto

Really enjoyed this day.

Quality of Experience
Food
Enjoyed the lunch with Douro fish.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was great!
Transport
Catamaran Boat Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach
Catamaran Boat Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach
Portugal

One of our favorite activities. Stunning coastline and this was the perfect way to see it up close.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience
4X4 Algarve Sunset Experience
Portugal

They were 30 min late and we were put in the back of the van (not a Jeep Wrangler as specified) and it was uncomfortable and very hard to see back there. It was extremely windy and cold so we couldn't really enjoy it although the places he took us to were pretty. We could only run out of the car for a quick photo and run back in. It should have been emphasized that you need a warm jacket (at least) to enjoy it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Luis tried to make the experience as good as he could, but too many factors made it unenjoyable.
Transport
Should not put people in the back of this vehicle! A jeep (as advertised) would have been better.
Explore Lisbon by Electric Tuk-Tuk
Explore Lisbon by Electric Tuk-Tuk
Portugal

Enjoyed this tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Soul of Lisbon: Fado Dinner Experience
The Soul of Lisbon: Fado Dinner Experience
Portugal

Food & wine were great and singers were amazing. Really enjoyed it!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our waiter was fantastic. Great sense of humour!
Local specialist: Rita Pagano
Rita
Rita Pagano
Local specialist in Naples & Madrid | Replied on Aug 02, 2023

Hi Leigh,
Thank you so much for taking the time to give us feedback about your experience in Portugal, I'll forward your review to our team of local guides!
Also thank you for giving us the suggestion about the Sunset Cruise in the Algarve, I'll make sure to include this information for future travelers. It was a real pleasure to work with you and organize your trip to Portugal. Hope we will be in touch for other future trips.
Thank you for choosing Espíritu Travel :)
Warm regards, Rita

Obrigado, Portugal!
Portugal | Jul 17 - Jul 27, 2023

Kenny
Kenny K.
Washington, DC | Reviewed on Jul 30, 2023
The trip planning process was very good, but with a little learning curve due to the more unique nature of the model. Pedro was very helpful, adaptive, and facilitative during this process... very accommodating and professional! One aspect that I had to adjust to, was the level of scheduled activities built into the initial plans, but in the end, we arrived at a good mix of planned and unplanned time. For reasons of managing kimkim's total cost (100% paid upfront for us) and maintaining... Read more

The trip planning process was very good, but with a little learning curve due to the more unique nature of the model. Pedro was very helpful, adaptive, and facilitative during this process... very accommodating and professional! One aspect that I had to adjust to, was the level of scheduled activities built into the initial plans, but in the end, we arrived at a good mix of planned and unplanned time. For reasons of managing kimkim's total cost (100% paid upfront for us) and maintaining our flexibility, we dialed back a considerable amount of planned activities. It seemed a bit much, and it would have been stressful to proceed as originally planned... especially traveling with a 20-year-old. But again, the final product was an appropriate level of planned (booked) activities.

We thoroughly enjoyed our hotels in Lisbon (PortoBay Marques), Lagos (BoaVista Bela Colina Village), Evora (MAR De AR Muralhas), and Porto (Hotel Dom Henrique)... tasty breakfast buffets AND separate rooms for us and our son (nice!).

We really enjoyed our planned activities and respective guides.
* The Lisbon Walking Tour was very well rounded - enjoyable and educational, and tasty at the end (wine, cheese, etc). Our guide Margarida was wonderful, and provided a true two-way experience. She even went "overtime" with us!
* The kayak tour of the grottoes around Lagos was extremely fun and beautiful (a little strenuous too :-), and our guide Bruno was a delight... engaging, thoughtful, and a character too.
* The Porto Walking Tour was good and interesting, but we all thought that our guide Bernardo was too heavy with the lecturing - it was quite one-sided, with little room for questions and engagement. Our son said it felt like he was sitting in History class.
* The Porto Bridge Climb was fun and provided beautiful vistas. Our guide Kika was a great, personable host, and allowed us to join a bit late after our delayed arrival to the starting point.

Our two drivers, around Lisbon and from Porto to Lisbon, were fantastic... very professional, flexible, and generous with their knowledge and travel tips!

We truly enjoyed soaking in Portugal... the kind people (everywhere), the pharmacist helping me out of a jam with my meds, the meals!, the wine, the architecture and history, the geology of Ponta da Piedade and Benagil, and the vibrant downtown city life... especially in Porto. Evora and its history was a nice stopping point along our trek to the North. Overall, it was a rich travel experience, and we're grateful for the opportunity.

The glue for this entire travel adventure was Pedro Luis! He is awesome... very knowledgeable, connected, forward thinking, extremely adaptable, and quite personable. He worked with us the entire way, answered important questions quickly and at all hours, anticipated issues before we knew of them, made on-the-fly changes to planned activities as we learned more about what we wanted to do, how, and when. He really got to know us, and is the ultimate in travel advocate. Thank you, Pedro!

Hotel Reviews
PortoBay Marquês
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Boavista Golf & Spa—Bela Colina Village
Sítio da Atalaia - Lagos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
M'AR De AR Muralhas
Evora
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Dom Henrique Downtown
Porto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Lisbon Walking Tour + Delicious Portuguese Flavours
Lisbon Walking Tour + Delicious Portuguese Flavours
Lisbon

Guide Margarida was wonderful, and provided an interesting and interactive tour. She was professional and personable!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit: Lagos
Visit: Lagos
Portugal

Old town Lagos was fun and vibrant... and delicious! The beach was nice, though didn't spend much time there.

Quality of Experience
Explore the Enchanting Ponta da Piedade Grottoes on a Thrilling  Kayaking Expedition
Explore the Enchanting Ponta da Piedade Grottoes on a Thrilling Kayaking Expedition
Portugal

Interesting and beautiful scenery among and in the grottoes of Ponta da Piedade. And it was nice to get some exercise paddling the kayak. Our guide was fantastic and funny.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit: Évora
Visit: Évora
Évora

Interesting old town with historic sites, like the Chapel of Bones.

Quality of Experience
Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Porto

Interesting, with lots of history and context. But this tour was too heavy on the lecture, and it became one-sided. Needs to mix it up some with more client interaction.

Quality of Experience
Less one-way lecturing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit: Porto
Visit: Porto
Porto

Great city, with great sites and vibrant activity. Warm and welcoming people.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Scaling New Heights Ascending Arrábida Bridge for a Truly Unique Adventure Experience
Scaling New Heights Ascending Arrábida Bridge for a Truly Unique Adventure Experience
Porto

Fun activity, with very nice views, and a great host.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Transfer from Porto to Lisbon with Scenic Stop***
Private Transfer from Porto to Lisbon with Scenic Stop***
Portugal
Quality of Experience
Transport
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 30, 2023

Hello Kenny,
Thank you for your comments on the trip and Portugal :)
I am really happy to hear that you found my services and assistance quite helpful and that you had an overall great experience in my beautiful country.
It was great to have you, Kelleenn and Kyle travelling with us.
Your friend in Portugal - Pedro

Family trip Lisbon, Lagos and Cascáis
Portugal | Jul 22 - Jul 29, 2023

Ruth
Ruth J.
San Fernando, CA | Reviewed on Jul 30, 2023

Our trip to Portugal was perfectly planned out with much attention to details. Our drivers, including Josef and Rui, were very informative and went out of their way to make our outings and long drives comfortable. We had an amazing walking tour in Lisbon with Elsa, who was very knowledgeable and managed to answer the many questions our son had. Pedro was our super star who kept in touch with us daily, updating is on our next day and all the activities planned. He answered all questions and made excellent suggestions. Obrigado!!

Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 30, 2023

Hello Ruth,
I am so happy to hear that my assistance actually played an important roll on your overall experience. Your positive feedback really means a lot to me - thank you! :)
Looking forward to welcome you and your family in Portugal again in the future.
Your friend in Portugal - Pedro

Portugal-- what an amazing country. Thank you!
Portugal | Jul 17 - Jul 27, 2023

R
Rachel B.
South Bradenton, FL | Reviewed on Jul 28, 2023
Portugal-- what an amazing country. The people, the food, the culture and the beauty. We both felt like home in Portugal and loved our whole experience. Our local specialist Joao checked in daily and had us in the most beautiful hotels, with wonderful transportation and drivers who were very engaging and knowledgeable. He was available for any last minute changes and had great recommendations. From start to end it was a wonderful holiday and we look forward to visiting again with our... Read more

Portugal-- what an amazing country. The people, the food, the culture and the beauty. We both felt like home in Portugal and loved our whole experience. Our local specialist Joao checked in daily and had us in the most beautiful hotels, with wonderful transportation and drivers who were very engaging and knowledgeable. He was available for any last minute changes and had great recommendations. From start to end it was a wonderful holiday and we look forward to visiting again with our children some day. Thank you.

Hotel Reviews
Maison Albar - Le Monumental Palace
Porto

This hotel was top notch and was the best hotel we stayed at in Portugal. It is the definition of 5 star service from check in to check out. Thank you.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful finishes and levels of detail
Location
Central located
Staff
Friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super clean
Hotel Cascais Miragem
Cascais

We liked the hotel and the views were amazing. The bathrooms seemed a little dated with the shower not draining, the hairdryer which really did not blow any air. I think they could use a little updating.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heritage Avenida Liberdade
Lisboa

The beds were very comfortable. The bathrooms were a little too small for me. The location and the staff was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 29, 2023

Hello Rachel,
Greetings from sunny Portugal!
Thank you so much for your feedback about your experience in Portugal! Our team is really happy to know you had a great experience.
Thank you once again for your trust!
Obrigado,
João & Across Portugal Team

All drivers were courteous and prompt and som...
Portugal | Jul 11 - Jul 27, 2023

W
Wendy M.
Hong Kong SAR China | Reviewed on Jul 28, 2023

All drivers were courteous and prompt and some were most entertaining. We trusted them to get us safely to our destinations. Your staff made speedy contact as necessary but really everything went without a hitch. Vivenda Miranda was heavenly. The tours of Porto were memorable as were the areas around our hotel.
We touched 13 countries in almost three months of travel. Our favourite is Portugal! Please thank Racquel and her support team.
Wendy McTavish

Local specialist: Raquel Aceituno
Raquel
Raquel Aceituno
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 31, 2023

Dear Wendy, first of all, I would like to thank you for taking the time to share with me your experiences during your trip as well as on the kimkim platform. I will make sure to pass your words on to our team, drivers and guides. I am so glad that you and Peter had such a great time in Portugal, over the 13 countries you have visited! Hopefully, in the future, we will have the chance to work together on another adventure. I wish you all the best. Be safe :) x Raquel

Our trip to Portugal was exactly what we hope...
Portugal | Jul 16 - Jul 23, 2023

Stephen
Stephen D.
Annandale, VA | Reviewed on Jul 26, 2023
Our trip to Portugal was exactly what we hoped for. João was extremely helpful and responsive throughout. He made the planning process so simple. João seemed to understand exactly what we were looking for as a family and set up the perfect trip for us. Throughout our time in Portugal he made sure that we were taken care of and ready for all of our activities. Matilde was our guide in Lisbon for the first day of the trip. I was amazed at her knowledge of absolutely everything relating to... Read more

Our trip to Portugal was exactly what we hoped for. João was extremely helpful and responsive throughout. He made the planning process so simple. João seemed to understand exactly what we were looking for as a family and set up the perfect trip for us. Throughout our time in Portugal he made sure that we were taken care of and ready for all of our activities.

Matilde was our guide in Lisbon for the first day of the trip. I was amazed at her knowledge of absolutely everything relating to Portuguese history and the city of Lisbon. She answered all of my many questions, and I had a lot. Matilde was also very kind and friendly. She got our trip off to the perfect start.

Eduardo was our driver while we were in Lisbon. We were very thankful for him. He expertly maneuvered our van all throughout the city and was great to talk to. He was happy to make all of our silly detours and helped us find everything we were looking for. He even found us a music store so I could get a Portuguese guitar!

All together the trip was awesome and the people were so nice! While we hope to explore more of the world, we are definitely planning to return to Portugal!

Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 27, 2023

Hey Stephen,
Thank you so much for your feedback and kind words!
I am super happy to know you had a great time in Portugal! Let's Go Sporting!!! :)
Thank you once again for your trust - Obrigado!!
João & Across Portugal Team

Beautiful Portugal
Portugal | Jul 15 - Jul 24, 2023

Dr. Steven
Dr. Steven W.
Atlanta, GA, USA | Reviewed on Jul 25, 2023

Rita did a great job interacting with us to plan a very comprehensive tour of Portugal in 10 days.

We loved the tours and “getting as much as we could”out of our time in Portugal.

Portugal is an amazing country and we can’t wait to return.

Local specialist: Rita Pagano
Rita
Rita Pagano
Local specialist in Naples & Madrid | Replied on Jul 25, 2023

Hi Steve, thank you so much for such a lovely review! It was my pleasure to organize this experience in Portugal for you and Oscar. Thank you for choosing Espíritu Travel, and letting us be a small part of your trip!! :)
Warm regards,
Rita

Outstanding Portugal Vacation🤩
Portugal | Jul 14 - Jul 22, 2023

Dawn
Dawn R.
Missouri City, TX | Reviewed on Jul 24, 2023
We had an amazing vacation! Working with Joao and his team was great. They planned the perfect hotels for us and we loved every excursion, even every guide. Pedro was fantastic on our walking tour of Lisbon; he was friendly, funny and so knowledgeable. I cannot say enough things about our driver Antony….He was the best. The day trip with Simone, with Inside Lisbon was long but so worth it! She was a great guide and kept us entertained. We just wish we had more time in Obidos and... Read more

We had an amazing vacation! Working with Joao and his team was great. They planned the perfect hotels for us and we loved every excursion, even every guide. Pedro was fantastic on our walking tour of Lisbon; he was friendly, funny and so knowledgeable. I cannot say enough things about our driver Antony….He was the best. The day trip with Simone, with Inside Lisbon was long but so worth it! She was a great guide and kept us entertained. We just wish we had more time in Obidos and Nazare. Not enough hours to really soak it in. I guess we’ll have to come back. Then the grottos tour with George and Fred of Bluefleet- just amazing! George was the best.
Hotels- the Britannia was so lovely. A little out of the way but the room and staff were worth it. Everyone was so kind and helpful. We enjoyed our stay there.
Cascade Wellness was no doubt a beautiful property and well situated to the walkways along the coast. The apartment was so lovely and we appreciated the upgrade Joao arranged for us. If we had been paying more for the apartment however, we would have been upset. There were some issues- ants, the shower didn’t work properly, the door handle fell off, the AC was “out of sync” so we were rather hot the first night until the repair man came (who was very nice and friendly) and we had to request wash cloths the first night as we had none. Also it seemed we were at the end of the house keeping rotation so every time we returned to the apartment at the end of the day, to get ready for dinner (around 4:00), housekeeping was there and it was inconvenient. We sat outside waiting for them to finish. We just expected more with the reputation they have. I will say the informal restaurant was great- the food and staff were fantastic.
The Miragem- WOW! A remarkable hotel and room! We were not expecting the room we stayed in and we were blown away with it. We wished we had more time to stay there. We were so exhausted we ate at the hotel buffet for dinner and it was fantastic. Sitting out by the pool with that view of the water was the perfect way to end our stay in Portugal. We loved Cascais and Joao was so helpful with last minute suggestions of where to go and what to see.
The only thing that was a little bit of a let down was the restaurant with the Fado -Mesa de Fradas; it was just okay. The service was not that good and the food was not outstanding. We kept waiting for the singer to come and we had to wait until after 10:00 pm, well after we finished our meal. She was amazing and we would have loved to hear more but we were just so exhausted after walking all day; we left after her first set.
Other than that I really cannot say enough wonderful things about this trip and Joao and his team. I didn’t think anything could top our Italy vacation last summer (also with KimKim) but I was wrong! Thank you so much for such a wonderful vacation.

Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 24, 2023

Hey Dawn,
WOW! Thank you so much for your kind words! You have no idea how much it means to our Team!
I will be very happy to share your comments to everyone involved :)
Look forward to welcome you, Doug and Rendon in the future.
Muito Obrigado,
João & Across Portugal Team

Bea did a wonderful job planning my trip to P...
Portugal | Jul 12 - Jul 20, 2023

J
Judith F.
Columbus, OH | Reviewed on Jul 21, 2023
Bea did a wonderful job planning my trip to Portugal. All the drivers arrived promptly and were professional and friendly. The hotels were in perfect locations and the staff very helpful and hospitable. Read more

Bea did a wonderful job planning my trip to Portugal. All the drivers arrived promptly and were professional and friendly. The hotels were in perfect locations and the staff very helpful and hospitable.

Hotel Reviews
Palácio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel
Lisboa

Beautiful hotel with a roll out the red carpet staff. Perfect location to walk for walking.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The towels were extra big and bed so comfortable.
Sé Catedral Hotel Porto, Tapestry Collection By Hilton
Porto

Perfect location. The breakfast was excellent. Needs a full length mirror in the room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
A great lounge area and bright colorful decorations in the lobby.
Quinta de la Rosa
Pinhão

The Quinta overlooks the river and the views are spectacular. The restaurant is amazing and the wine tour on the property very informative.

Authenticity & Character
Family owned hotel and staff very kind.
Location
The scenery and the beauty.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore Lisbon by Electric Tuk-Tuk
Explore Lisbon by Electric Tuk-Tuk
Portugal

A definite plus and fun way to see Lisbon.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to Sintra & Sailing Experience: Cascais to Lisbon
Excursion to Sintra & Sailing Experience: Cascais to Lisbon
Lisbon

A definite must. Wear your walking shoes as it is hilly to climb to the palace.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lisbon Roots: A Food & Cultural Walk
Lisbon Roots: A Food & Cultural Walk
Portugal

Small group. We enjoyed tasting the foods in the market and going to 2 restaurants.we

Quality of Experience
I
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Coimbra
Portugal

Driver was great. Coumbra is a small area to visit and enjoyed the shopping.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Foodie Experience in Porto
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

The food is excellent and many restaurants.The

Quality of Experience
Many steps and hills. Funicular is a must.
Douro Valley Wine Tasting & Quinta Lunch
Douro Valley Wine Tasting & Quinta Lunch
Douro Valley

The owner Pablo took the time to show us his family's winery and lunch in their beautiful home.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Douro Valley Wine Estate & River Boat Experience
Douro Valley Wine Estate & River Boat Experience
Douro Valley

Perfect and relaxing boat ride.

Quality of Experience
J9
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Beatriz
Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 24, 2023

Hi Judith! Thank you so much for your feedback! :) Ensuring that our travelers are having a great time and creating lovely memories while discovering new places is always our priority (especially when celebrating special occasions!). It was a pleasure working with you all along the way! Best regards, Bea.

Pedro made our trip to Porto and Lisbon memorable.
Portugal | Jul 9 - Jul 18, 2023

Jonathan
Jonathan S.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2023
Quite simply......without Pedro, we wouldn't have enjoyed such personalised experiences so completely tailored to our likes and our interests. It made our holiday to Porto and Lisbon so enjoyable. When you're away in holiday, time is essentially limited. You want to ensure it's effectively invested. So that the memories are enduring. Pedro and kimkim ensured this was the case. The itinerary was just excellent. In order to construct this, Pedro ensured he got to know us and what we... Read more

Quite simply......without Pedro, we wouldn't have enjoyed such personalised experiences so completely tailored to our likes and our interests. It made our holiday to Porto and Lisbon so enjoyable. When you're away in holiday, time is essentially limited. You want to ensure it's effectively invested. So that the memories are enduring.

Pedro and kimkim ensured this was the case. The itinerary was just excellent. In order to construct this, Pedro ensured he got to know us and what we like doing. His suggestions hit the mark: the walking tours, boat rides, ebike trips and personal guided tours. We wouldn't have known of these if it hadn't been for Pedro, let alone booked them.

And the organisation was flawless. Even when we needed to reschedule something because my wife was unwell, it was done swiftly without fuss.

When we go away again, we'll use kimkim. Simple as that.

Activity Review
Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Porto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 20, 2023

Hello Jonathan & Elaine,
I am so glad to hear that you really enjoyed my services and your overall experience in Portugal - a big THANK YOU for your kind words. It was an honor to have you both traveling with us and to have the chance to show you my beautiful country.
Looking forward to welcome your friends and family in the future.
Your friend in Portugal - Pedro

João created an itinerary that was fun,inform...
Portugal | Jul 7 - Jul 18, 2023

H
Howard H.
Glendora, CA | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2023
João created an itinerary that was fun,informative, and relaxing over 12 days.
The guides were very informative and had great communication skills.
João reached out to us each night to inform us of the next days activities and with suggestions for local highlights.
We feel we came away with a feel for the history and the people of Portugal.
We certainly have a feel for the fish and the wine of Portugal.
We would highly recommend João and Kimkim for a trip there!
Read more

João created an itinerary that was fun,informative, and relaxing over 12 days.
The guides were very informative and had great communication skills.
João reached out to us each night to inform us of the next days activities and with suggestions for local highlights.
We feel we came away with a feel for the history and the people of Portugal.
We certainly have a feel for the fish and the wine of Portugal.
We would highly recommend João and Kimkim for a trip there!

Hotel Review
Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa
Evora

The location was what I was looking for and the food was divine! The rooms and the grounds were beautiful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It’s located in the country and surrounded by farms and ranches.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 19, 2023

Hey Howard,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
I am super happy to know you had a great time in Portugal! You just made my day :)
Thank you once again for your trust - Obrigado!!
João & Across Portugal Team

Trip of a lifetime!
Portugal | Jul 6 - Jul 18, 2023

Laura
Laura O.
Wilmington, DE | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2023
Marina was a huge help from start to finish! My friend and I were so excited to visit Portugal and Marina took much of the stress out of all the planning. We had great private tours and excellent guides chosen for our many tours in the different places we went visit. We loved so many of the unique experiences provided on this trip, for example, the private tour of Tomar, the Peña Palace, our small group tour of Douro Valley, our private hike in the national park, and our jeep tour on the... Read more

Marina was a huge help from start to finish! My friend and I were so excited to visit Portugal and Marina took much of the stress out of all the planning. We had great private tours and excellent guides chosen for our many tours in the different places we went visit. We loved so many of the unique experiences provided on this trip, for example, the private tour of Tomar, the Peña Palace, our small group tour of Douro Valley, our private hike in the national park, and our jeep tour on the Azores. There were a few bumps in the road as one of our tours was cut short in Sintra (two hours instead of 8) and one tour in Porto started at a different time than given. The hotels were well chosen for each location and close to many things that we wanted to see and experience. On the whole, I would definitely use Kimkim again for a trip in the future. Marina (and those coewas very quick to respond when there were any issues and helpful when we needed information. I appreciate all of the time and effort that went into the planning and organization of our Portugal trip! I will have memories for a lifetime!

Hotel Review
Premium Porto Downtown
Porto

Loved this hotel!! Great rooftop terrace to see the city, excellent breakfast, free snacks in the afternoon, and very clean and neat!

Authenticity & Character
Location
About 15 minute walk from the water but great city location!
Staff
Very helpful when needing to call places and get a taxi.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were kept clean and looked great!
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 20, 2023

Hi Laura, thank you for your kind words and the thorough feedback! I am so happy to hear you had a wonderful time during your time in Portugal. I will pass on your kind words to all the team. I hope you created lovely memories for a lifetime discovering Portugal, its gastronomy, and its people! I look forward to work with you on your next travel adventure :) Best regards, Marina.

Spectacular service and recommendations
Portugal | Jul 1 - Jul 6, 2023

M
Marcelo M.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Jul 17, 2023

Catarina did a phenomenal job from start to finish. She recommended 6 local guides at various cities in our trip and all were extremely knowledgeable, friendly and fluent in English.

In addition, all of the restaurant recommendations she made were fantastic and all of the booking was seamless.

We will highly recommend her for anyone visiting Portugal and will use KimKim again for our future trips.

Local specialist: Catarina Cotrim
Catarina
Catarina Cotrim
Local specialist in Torres Novas | Replied on Jul 18, 2023

Dear Marcelo, good morning once again from Portugal :) I hope you´re doing great and that you already miss this country by the sea planted! Let me thank you for your amazing and kind words , it was a great pleasure to work with you and I can´t wait for us to have another opportunity to meet again

Meanwhile, I wish you & Caroline all the best ❤️
With my warmest regards
Catarina

We loved our trip to Portugal! Booking throug...
Portugal | Jul 1 - Jul 10, 2023

N
Nina G.
Herndon, VA | Reviewed on Jul 17, 2023
We loved our trip to Portugal! Booking through KimKim made everything so easy, and Bea was incredibly responsive both during the planning phase and for questions that came up when we were traveling. Would 100% recommend the trip and Bea!!! Read more

We loved our trip to Portugal! Booking through KimKim made everything so easy, and Bea was incredibly responsive both during the planning phase and for questions that came up when we were traveling. Would 100% recommend the trip and Bea!!!

Hotel Reviews
Be Poet Baixa Hotel
Lisbon

This place is right in the heart of a million restaurants, shops, street performers, etc. This was perfect for us, but also meant the rooms were a bit smaller, and there was sometimes a bit of noise outside. It didn't keep us up, but others may be bothered by it. Front desk was very helpful, and they greeted us with wine and pastries! Breakfast was only okay. Totally fine for a quick bite before tours, but we sometimes opted to venture off for a coffee at a cafe somewhere else.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PortoBay Teatro
Porto

Location was perfect and breakfast was great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Do Colégio
Ponta Delgada

Location was perfect - we could walk to lots of great restaurants and the marina. Hotel even decorated our bed with rose petals for our honeymoon. The front desk was very helpful - they called taxis for us, made recommendations, and lent us towels for all of our day trips. We also had the best meal of our lives at Otaka, not to be missed!!! The pizza place right next door was also great. The hotel breakfast here was only okay, but it was nice to have somewhere to grab a quick bite before leaving for the day.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Foodie Experience in Porto
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto

We had a lot of fun doing this on our first night! Only thing that could have been better is if we had known what all of the tastings were going to be in advance. We started out finishing the wine they provided at the first stop only to find out there were ~4 more glasses of wine coming!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Guided Visit of Porto
Private Guided Visit of Porto
Porto

We loved walking the city with a private guide. Meant we got to break for a while and sit at a cafe while hearing about life in Porto. He also adapted the tour so we could end at the book shop we wanted to see! Walking tour was especially great in Porto because we really felt like we saw all of the city highlights. We ended up taking the guide's recommendation and taking an uber/spending the rest of the day along the beach starting at Praia da Luz and walking toward Matosinhos. So many fun beachfront restaurants for drinks and food!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sete Cidades Full Day Experience: Ferraria Springs & Volcano Rims
Sete Cidades Full Day Experience: Ferraria Springs & Volcano Rims
São Miguel Island

Really beautiful, just wished we had gotten to do more hiking rather than jumping in and out of the car at the lookout points!

Volcanic Experience in Furnas Full Day
Volcanic Experience in Furnas Full Day
São Miguel Island

We really liked this day - we requested that we start with a hike so we did a ~2 hour walk around the whole body of water which meant we could take in the beautiful scenery!

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon
Lisbon Home-Style Cooking Class with Market Visit
Lisbon Home-Style Cooking Class with Market Visit
Lisbon

We had lots of fun making the delicious food, but be warned that this was supposed to take 3 hours and ended up being a 6 hour activity instead! That being said, the market visit was great and was basically a tasting before the whole thing started. We just wish we had known how long everything was going to take!

Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

We had lots of fun, and this was our last day of vacation! Be warned that the guide will not come into Pena Palace with you, so if you want to learn more about the rooms while you're walking through, you need to make sure you either have a guide inside or download an audio app for a self-guided tour. This didn't end up taking away from our experience, but we didn't realize that other groups would have tour guides leading them, so we were a little taken aback at first. As we kept walking though, we didn't feel like we really needed it. The town of Sintra was also very cute. We wish we had just been able to get lunch there rather than the designated spot which was tasty, but was essentially a food truck in a parking lot. Cascais was also gorgeous, and we probably could have spent a full day there lounging at the beach instead of just a few hours!

Local specialist: Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Beatriz
Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jul 18, 2023

Hi Nina! Thank you so much for your super detailed feedback! I'm so happy to have been a small part of this special trip and really glad you enjoyed your Honeymoon while discovering Portugal, that's definitely our best reward! It's been a pleasure helping you with this adventure. Best regards, Bea.

Tiernan did a great service to Susan and I du...
Portugal | Jul 1 - Jul 15, 2023

Thomas
Thomas F.
Danville, CA | Reviewed on Jul 16, 2023
Tiernan did a great service to Susan and I during our visit to Portugal on our 30th wedding anniversary . Read more

Tiernan did a great service to Susan and I during our visit to Portugal on our 30th wedding anniversary .

Hotel Reviews
1872 River House
Porto

View was outstanding Locals were very engaging Vintage House was very accommodating

Authenticity & Character
Exterior has the appearance of a place in history
Location
Very nice location
Staff
Very accommodating and knowledgeable
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was well keep
Arribas Sintra Hotel
Sintra

Best Sunsets ever and we are from California Biggest pool we have ever saw Hotel food breakfast and dinner is outstanding

Authenticity & Character
It’s a beach town with local restaurants and wineries
Location
What a view Atlantic Ocean Beach Pool Then three different sunsets First with the Marine Layer Second Sunset had white caps crashing into the break water at the pool side Third Sunset was all so calm
Staff
Very accommodation with great advise
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable
The Vintage House Hotel Douro
Pinhão

Grounds were very well maintained View of the river and local vineyards was fantastic

Authenticity & Character
Olde Town feeling and culture
Location
The views Pool and breakfast
Staff
Very accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room and grounds well maintained
Local specialist: Tiernan O'Rourke Araujo
Tiernan
Tiernan O'Rourke Araujo
Local specialist in Galicia, Spain | Replied on Jul 18, 2023

Hi Thomas & Susan,

Thank you very much for your review!

I am glad to hear that both of you had a fantastic experience during your time in Portugal. It was a pleasure to e-meet you and to have the opportunity to help you arrange your accommodations for your anniversary trip.

Once again, congratulations on your 30th wedding anniversary, and if you decide to visit again we'd be more than happy to plan the perfect trip for you!

Best,

Tiernan
E&W

Portugal
Portugal | Jul 3 - Jul 12, 2023

Karen
Karen C.
El Cerrito, CA | Reviewed on Jul 13, 2023

Marta was excellent. Every thing she planned worked perfectly and we had a wonderful experience!

Local specialist: Marta Trzeciakowska
Marta
Marta Trzeciakowska
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Jul 14, 2023

Hi Karen, thank you so much for your review! I am happy to hear you enjoyed Portugal to the fullest, and hope we can work together again in the future if you decide to visit Spain, Portugal or Morocco. It has been a pleasure to bring you closer to Portuguese culture. My warmest regards, Marta

One of the best trips we’ve ever taken thanks to Ricardo and Joao
Portugal | Jun 27 - Jul 5, 2023

L
layantie p.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jul 13, 2023
We just got back from 8 days of the most well planned trips we’ve ever taken. Pedro and then Joao planned an incredible, budget friendly trip that did not seem budget in any way. We had private transportation everywhere. Our hotels were great. Our day trips incredible. Any little problems that arises Joao was quick to resolve to our satisfaction.
When we first planned this trip, Joao and Pedro listened to what we wanted and needed as a big group and delivered in every way. When I saw the 32...
Read more

We just got back from 8 days of the most well planned trips we’ve ever taken. Pedro and then Joao planned an incredible, budget friendly trip that did not seem budget in any way. We had private transportation everywhere. Our hotels were great. Our day trips incredible. Any little problems that arises Joao was quick to resolve to our satisfaction.
When we first planned this trip, Joao and Pedro listened to what we wanted and needed as a big group and delivered in every way. When I saw the 32 page itinerary, I thought I’d they can execute on half of this plan, I would be very impressed. They delivered in all points.
Our tour guide, Ricardo, really made this trip even more memorable. He was knowledgeable, patient with our loud large group, and made sure everything was perfect for us through out the entire trip. We wish we could export Ricardo to any future trips!
Highlights were: the walking tour in Lisbon, Fado dinner, Pena castle at Sintra, Obidos and Nazare, and the caves in Faro.
I can’t say enough about Across Portugal and would use them again in an instant.
Extremely happy!

Hotel Reviews
HF Fénix Lisboa
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
City center. Easy to walk to restaurants and shopping
Staff
Some staff at the front desk were not very nice but restaurant staff was great
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleanliness was great, AC was not very effective
Vila Galé Lagos
Lagos
Authenticity & Character
Not much character. Seemed cold modern design
Location
Close to the beach and 15 min outside of town
Staff
Front desk rude.
Cleanliness & Comfort
At times had an off-putting smell, no irons which was not disclosed to us.
Activity Reviews
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Lisbon

Ricardo made sure we got the most out of Lisbon. We walked to some Lisbon highlights. He brought us to a beautiful spot for lunch and then took us to historical site by the water where we tried pastel de nada, the best we had while we were there.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ricardo and Armando-amazing!
Transport
New bus with AC, wifi, and Bluetooth connections
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Lisbon

Intimate experience in a small restaurant that fit just our group of 25 and 2 other couples. Beautiful singing and food. A uniquely Portuguese experience. Not to be missed

Quality of Experience
Food
Everything well prepared and delicious
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ricardo and Armando again perfect!
Transport
Private Driver Tour to Sintra with Tickets to Pena Palace & Cascais
Private Driver Tour to Sintra with Tickets to Pena Palace & Cascais
Lisbon

At first we weren’t sure if this trip would happen because they were afraid the bus couldn’t make it up to sintra with its small streets but Joao and Ricardo worked their magic and arranged for tuk tuks to drive us up to the castle. The tuk tuks made the experience even better. The castle and its grounds were beautiful. The city of sintra also beautiful with quaint restaurants and shops. We then headed to casais for lunch and shopping. Ricardo picked a beautiful spot for us to leisurely enjoy a beautiful meal

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ricardo and Armando did it again. Another perfect day.
Transport
Explore Óbidos, Nazaré and Alcobaça
Explore Óbidos, Nazaré and Alcobaça
Lisbon

We decided to skip Alcobaca and spend more time in Obidos and Nazare. Obidos was like walking into a different time. The medieval town has kept its charm from days gone by. E could have spent all day there. We then headed to Nazare for lunch at a restaurant on the beach which was absolutely delicious. We the. Drove up to the top of the cliff for views of beautiful Nazare.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ricardo and Armando. Best in the business.
Transport
 Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves
Exclusive Panoramic Boat Tour to the Ponta da Piedade Caves
Portugal

I wasn’t made aware that the boats we would use were very small and we would be separated in different boats. But it turned out fine and the experience was great. The caves are beautiful and not to be missed

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: João Branco
João
João Branco
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 14, 2023

Olá Layantie!!
OMG - What a wonderful feedback! What a journey it was :)
I have to say our team is really happy with the feedback and, more important, with the chance we had to welcome all of you.
Hopefuly you are now able to spread Portugal's name with a smile while remembering this unique experience.
Muito Obrigado,
João & Across Portugal Team

Amazing trip, would 100% recommend
Portugal | Jun 24 - Jul 9, 2023

Szilvi
Szilvi K.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Jul 12, 2023
This was the first trip I've ever booked with KimKim, or through any travel agency for that matter, and even though of course you pay extra to have someone else plan the trip for you, I think it was worth every penny. We had a fabulous time in Portugal and everything went very smoothly. Having the PDF to refer back to for the daily schedule was invaluable - I don't know how we would have kept everything straight without it. Nuno was also always available via WhatsApp when we had any questions... Read more

This was the first trip I've ever booked with KimKim, or through any travel agency for that matter, and even though of course you pay extra to have someone else plan the trip for you, I think it was worth every penny. We had a fabulous time in Portugal and everything went very smoothly. Having the PDF to refer back to for the daily schedule was invaluable - I don't know how we would have kept everything straight without it. Nuno was also always available via WhatsApp when we had any questions or needed help, and it was great knowing that we had that resource if necessary. We certainly wouldn't have thought to book as many private guided tours for ourselves, but those ended up being our favorite part! Special shoutout to the guides in Braga/Gimaraes, the Douro Museum, Coimbra, Tomar, and Evora. We might have visited the same locations, but just hearing more about them from local guides made the whole experience that much more special. In addition to the schedule booked for us, we also ended up going horseback riding (1 hour, walk only) at Centro Hípico de Alcaria, and on the last day we rented kayaks with Taruga Benagil Tours, both of which were great additions.

A few suggestions for improvements:
1) The boat tour on the Douro river wasn't our favorite - it was a short ride (only an hour), and on a large group boat with no comments by the crew. There was supposed to be an audio guide app but we never got it properly installed and working. It would have been nicer to spend more time on the water and with a more personalized boat experience.
2) The PDF document was great, but it could be made even better by including the following:
- (estimated) end time of activities, not only their start time
- reservation numbers / tickets (there were a few times when places struggled to pull up our reservation - we usually got there eventually, but this might have simplified the process)
- indication of the price range of the restaurant recommendations, and suggest restaurants in different price categories (for every lunch, give budget / medium / fancy alternatives)
3) While we had a great time in the fancy car to Cascais and Sintra, it felt like we could have driven ourselves to be a bit more thrifty with our resources. The electric Mercedes with the driver wearing a suit was so nice that we saw them outside the hotel lobby but had no idea the driver was waiting for us until we eventually asked.
4) It would have been nice to also have a guided tour in Nazare and/or Batalha, and to have a few more specific suggestions for things to check out in Lisbon. We also felt quite overwhelmed with the number of Quintas in the Douro valley and didn't really end up exploring other Quintas.
5) Having the car was overall great, but it wasn't always clear where we would have to pay for parking or how convenient it was going to be. In Lisbon, we chose to never use the car and instead got a taxi to the Fado show, which seemed much easier than trying to navigate there and then find parking. Likewise, many things in Porto are quite walkable and we didn't drive to the wine tasting there.

We definitely splurged on this trip, and the hotels all reflected that. We really enjoyed our stays at The Editory in Porto, the Quinta de la Rosa in the Douro Valley, the Cooking & Nature Hotel in Alvados, the Epic SANA Marques in Lisbon, and the Iberostar Lagos. They were all very different but all great in their own way.

We are sad that this amazing trip has now come to an end, but definitely hope to be back in Portugal soon!

Hotel Reviews
The Editory Boulevard Aliados Hotel
Porto

This is a lovely hotel and we had a wonderful stay. The building looks brand new and is beautifully designed. The room was on the smaller size but perfect for what we needed, and it was very comfortable and functional. The restaurant was excellent (we had dinner there one night and breakfast throughout our stay, both meals were crafted with attention to detail) and the bar upstairs was quirky and fun (they serve cocktails in mad hatter cups). The pool was small and you had to go through the bar to access it, but we still enjoyed using it. The only thing that bothered us during our stay is that I requested an iron multiple times and it was never delivered. In some hotels this is standard room equipment, and in others I haven’t had any issues getting in delivered on demand so I was quite surprised that it was such a problem for them to handle this quite reasonable request.

Authenticity & Character
Quirky and modern
Location
Walking distance to everything
Staff
The restaurant and bar staff was incredible.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was very comfortable and I also loved the shower.
Quinta de la Rosa
Pinhão

This was such a relaxing, luxurious experience. We had a room that overlooked the Douro river and the pool was always nicely warm from the sun. The restaurant had delicious food, and their coffee in the morning was my favorite from all the hotels on this trip. The only complaint that we had was that it was difficult to sleep due to all the flies in our bedroom, and there weren't many outlets or surfaces for electronics (the bedside tables were quite small and had large bedside lamps on them).

Authenticity & Character
Luxurious quinta with pool and all the views
Location
Walking distance to Pinhao!
Staff
Very friendly staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The flies in our room were annoying, and the bed also wasn't as comfortable as at other hotels.
Cooking and Nature
Alvados

We loved our stay at this hotel. The rooms are themed after movies (we had the Avatar room with an oval bed!), they are located in a slightly remote area ensuring quiet and beautiful views, and the breakfast was delicious. It is such a unique concept and I loved the nature-y vibe of the place.

Authenticity & Character
I've never been to this kind of a hotel before and loved it.
Location
Remote, but that's the idea!
Staff
Very friendly staff, especially the lady who hosted our cooking class!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was amazing, as was everything else about this hotel.
Epic Sana Marquês
Lisbon

We had a great time here. We especially enjoyed the sky pool and the downstairs spa / gym area. The only minor negative thing I can say is that it felt a bit like a cruise ship - it is a large hotel, with many guests, and while for the most part you didn’t notice it so much, on our last morning there was a large number of people at breakfast and we were somewhat overwhelmed by the crowd / noise. I suppose that is expected since they also have the space to host conferences / events themselves, but it took us slightly by surprise because we’d been staying in slightly smaller hotels on this trip. The room was super cool, with a TV hidden behind a large mirror and so many (light) switches that we had a hard time figuring out how to turn everything off at night without activating the blackout blinds. On that note, there were plenty of outlets and USB chargers throughout the room, and the staff provided bottles of water throughout our stay.

Authenticity & Character
It doesn't have much character. It is luxurious but a bit bland, compared to the other hotels on this trip.
Location
Walking distance to everything.
Staff
Great staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spotless, professional.
Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve
Lagos

We had a lovely stay here. The staff was extremely friendly and did everything in their power to make us happy. We loved both the indoor and outdoor pool, as well as the location close to the beach. Another plus is their focus on sustainability: there are water purification stations on every floor and you can refill a glass decanter to your liking with water. The reason for my lower rating: All extras are extremely overpriced. There is a jacuzzi, but you have to pay 15€ PER PERSON and sign up in advance to use it. There is supposed to be someone near the spa to help with the process, but the desk was almost always unmanned, making the process and the price rather prohibitive to the enjoyment of the spa. Further, the food was very expensive for its quality. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, there was a large buffet you could use against a flat fee. Dinner was 36€ per person! This did not include beverages. The variety was good, but if you didn’t feel hungry enough to wolf down multiple courses, it was hardly worth the money. We ended up getting groceries from a nearby store instead. We would have liked to take advantage of the snack bar and the cocktail bar but were deterred by their prices as well. The building was also complicated to navigate: reception, on the fourth floor, was the connecting hub. Even though the restaurant and some rooms were both on the third floor, you couldn’t go directly from your room to the restaurant - you first had to go up a set of stairs / take the elevator to the fourth floor and then descend again. There was plenty of parking, but there were three entrances to two separate parking garages, and two out of the three entrances were always locked.

Authenticity & Character
It was luxurious and felt very classy. The rooms were fancy as well.
Location
Right by the beach!
Staff
Very friendly staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms were clean and comfortable, but not as well-cleaned as the Epic SANA Marques, for example.
Activity Reviews
Vintage  Food and Wine Tour
Vintage Food and Wine Tour
Porto

Great tour. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, plus his English was impeccable. All the wines we had on this tour were very tasty. I have to admit that the food items weren't so much my favorite (and we did make the mistake of having some breakfast beforehand), but overall I really enjoyed this tour, especially the visit to the market where we had canned fish.

Quality of Experience
Well-rounded trip. Not too much walking, but still covered a good amount of ground and saw a variety of places.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was amazing.
Visit to Ferreira Port Wine Cellars
Visit to Ferreira Port Wine Cellars
Porto

This was a fairly standard wine tasting trip. It was good, but nothing stood out in particular.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit to Quinta da Aveleda (Green Wine region)
Visit to Quinta da Aveleda (Green Wine region)
Penafiel

The garden of this place is absolutely incredible, well worth a visit! The guide was also extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The wines were tasty, but I was surprised that none of the places we went for wine tastings had any snacks or food pairings. It might be nice to add some food to some of these tours so you don't get too tipsy ;)

Quality of Experience
The property is simply gorgeous.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very friendly and professional.
Douro Museum
Douro Museum
Douro Valley

We were initially a bit skeptical about the museum (Douro museum? What is that??) but our skepticism quickly turned to enthusiasm. This is such a cool place! The tour was amazing, and we learned so much about the region and the history of Port. The guide even took us past their back rooms where they are restoring art, showed us a special exhibit (unrelated to wine), and we got some free port at the end of it! This museum is anything but stuffy - they even have some interactive exhibits, where you can smell aromas that are present in wine, and they have exhibits of old machines used to put corks in bottles.

Quality of Experience
Amazing museum.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was extremely knowledgeable and loved giving us the tour.
Winery Quinta de la Rosa
Winery Quinta de la Rosa
Douro Valley

Nice tour and wine tasting. I didn't actually like their wines as much as some others we had on this trip, but the experience overall was still very nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Douro Valley Rabelo boat tour
Douro Valley Rabelo boat tour
Portugal

When we first arrived at the dock, they gave us a hard time about not having a ticket. Eventually, the magic words seemed to be "The Host" and we were allowed to board, but by then a huge group of other passengers had taken up most of the available seats. We were also expecting some kind of "tour", but we were supposed to download an app for the audio tour which seemed like a huge hassle and we couldn't get it working. The boat ride was only 1 hour, we would have liked to go for longer.

Quality of Experience
Have an actual person talk, not some app that half of us can't download. Longer boat ride.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Be more respectful and helpful. When we said "reservation", they said "we don't do reservations". Yeah, right...
Half Day Tour to Coimbra
Half Day Tour to Coimbra
Coimbra

Coimbra is such an amazing city. The university library is phenomenal! Our guide was also very knowledgeable and we enjoyed hearing about the thesis defenses of doctors and other such student experiences. We felt like we saw all the important parts of Coimbra and it was all very interesting.

Quality of Experience
Great guide, and great city that makes it easy to be an interesting guide.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was great!
Dinner cooking class
Dinner cooking class
Alvados

We hadn't done a cooking class before so we didn't know what to expect. We were surprised by how much prep they had already done - we didn't have to do any chopping, just basic assembly, which was a bit anticlimactic. Of course we never would have finished in time otherwise, since we made three courses. We really liked our starter salad, but the main dish for me was too much to eat. Dessert was probably my favorite part, we had a lava cake with raspberry sorbet. Our cooking instructor was very friendly and we enjoyed spending the time with her. I think I was expecting more of a group class, and more "pro tips" that you can generalize, instead of just putting together someone else's recipe, but we still had fun!

Quality of Experience
It's the difference between an art class and a "painting by numbers" exercise that makes me award less than 5 stars.
Food
The dessert was incredible and the starter salad was quite tasty, but I didn't care that much for the main dish.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Self Drive Fátima, Batalha and Nazaré visit
Self Drive Fátima, Batalha and Nazaré visit
Portugal

It would have been better to have a guide for this day. We went to Fatima first and were mostly confused by what everyone was doing (like walking on knees), then spent too much time in Nazare and ended up missing the Batalha monastery (we did go, but it was already closed unfortunately). It was still a good day though!

Quality of Experience
Half Day Tour to Tomar
Half Day Tour to Tomar
Portugal

We had a nice guides and learned a lot about the area. Our favorite was definitely the Convent of Christ - what a magnificent church!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Self drive from Alvados to Lisbon with visit to Óbidos
Self drive from Alvados to Lisbon with visit to Óbidos
Portugal

Obidos is such a cute town, and their cherry liquor in chocolate cups is to die for. Loved this day!

Quality of Experience
Lisbon on a TukTuk
Lisbon on a TukTuk
Lisbon

After an initial mix-up where our TukTuk didn't show up on time, we still ended up going later in the day. I really enjoyed riding in the Tuk Tuk, but the guide didn't have much new information to share - I felt like I'd already heard most of the things from other guides on this trip. Overall, I could've sat in the vehicle for longer, but the churches and descriptions fell a bit flat.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dinner with Fado show
Dinner with Fado show
Lisbon

It was nice that everything was paid for in advance so we didn't have to worry about paying, and the food was nice, but I was hoping for a bit more Fado. I loved the music, but they only performed 4x during the course of the night.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The waiters were very funny
Full day private Sintra & Cascais Tour
Full day private Sintra & Cascais Tour
Portugal

I'm not sure how much this trip cost, but it felt like we could have saved some money driving ourselves to Cascais and Sintra, especially since the driver didn't come to the monuments with us. Sintra boasts a gorgeous castle, but it is also very overrun with tourists. We were not prepared for the crowds. We're also pretty sure we missed part of the castle - was there supposed to be an interior? Overall, it was nice to have a day to just sit and let ourselves be chauffeured around, but the car was TOO nice and we were suspicious how much we'd paid for this.

Quality of Experience
It was great quality for what it was.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The electric Mercedes was incredible. So fancy! And the driver was very friendly too.
Drive from Lisbon to Algarve with visit to Évora
Drive from Lisbon to Algarve with visit to Évora
Portugal

We had a nice time in Evora. The Chapel of Bones is really something else. Our guide was very friendly and we really enjoyed our last guided tour!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Nuno Ribeiro
Nuno
Nuno Ribeiro
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jul 18, 2023

Hi Szilvi,
Thank you so much for the feedback, it was a pleasure helping you with this trip, Iam so happy that you have enjoyed your time in our country, I hope you consider coming back to explore more of it :)
Thank you so much
Nuno

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