Profile photo for Sam Lister
2997 messages
active 4 days ago

Sam Lister

I'm half Scottish, half New Zealander, born and raised in Hong Kong and Japan, schooled in England and now living in Spain. I'm a mish-mash of cultural backgrounds and now an adopted Sevillano!

My love for Spain began when my school rugby coach, also head of the Spanish department, asked if I would like to join his class and try learning Spanish! There was no looking back from there! I went on to complete Hispanic studies at Leeds University and was on a flight to Seville the day after my final exam.

I've lived here ever since and I'm married to a lovely “Sevillana” called Lucia! I created Tailormade Andalucia in 2008 and ever since I've since specialized in unique itineraries and experiences taking travellers off the beaten track and getting under the skin of Spain.

I try hard to combine a resident’s knowledge with a foreign traveller’s eye. It's easy to visit grand monuments and travel using Tripadvisor's top tips. But I believe its all about getting away from the hordes, immersing yourself in the real culture and most importantly, meeting local residents, hosts and artisans.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Honestly, we specialise in tailor-making experiences. It can be anything from Michelin Star restaurants to renewable energy, from hiking with a local biologist to taking part in a flamenco jamming session. The fun is in the creating!!"

How did you get involved in travel?

"Before starting Tailormade Andalucia, I worked for a travel & lifestyle magazine in Andalucia. This job opened my eyes to all of the boutique, charming and hidden experiences that could be enjoyed in Spain. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"If we're talking unique, I was once contacted by a wealthy Chinese couple who wanted to go on a "pre" wedding honeymoon. They wanted to take a lot of photos and videos that they could then project during their wedding ceremony. We arranged a very special trip for them and they arrived into Sevilla with evening gowns, wedding dresses, tuxedo's, morning suits and more! For just these 2 people, they had requested a guide (me), a driver, a Chinese interpreter, a photographer/videographer and a make-up artist! We had prepared all sorts of wonderful insiders access and special places for photos. But halfway through the itinerary, they told me that they needed more "wow" factor!! I suggested a sunrise hot-air ballooning experience, photos on a bravo bull farm, a private boat ride through the Straits of Gibraltar, but none of this enthused them. My suggestions got more and more desperate until I mentioned going to "Smurftown" in the mountains. The little village of Juzcar had been used for the film premier of the smurfs and to this day is painted surf blue! The couples eyes lit up and they were delighted with the idea. So we drove over there, with the couple dressed in wedding attire! When we turned up in smurftown and out jumped a Chinese wedding couple and all of our entourage, it was one of the few days that the public were more surprised by a fellow visitor than by the smurfs who were posing for photos in the village!! A very surreal experience! "

Sam is part of the following groups: Portugal Travel Agents, Spain Travel Agents
Views over Lisbon and the Tagus River
Highlights of Portugal & Spain: Lisbon to Madrid - 13 Days

Journey through the heart of the Iberian Peninsula on this epic, 13-day itinerary. Start in Portugal to wander Lisbon's atmospheric neighborhoods, discover the hilltop palaces of Sintra, and immerse yourself in Évora's ancient history. Then it's time to head east into Spain, where Andalusian culture and cuisine come alive in Seville and Granada. Your adventure ends in Madrid, where you'll get to know the Old Masters at the Prado Museum and take a flavorful tapas tour through the capital.

The Algarve's golden beaches near Lagos
Essential Portugal: Lisbon, Alcobaça, Évora & Lagos - 12 Days

In just 12 days, this action-packed Portugal itinerary introduces you to charming cities, unspoiled countryside, and world-class beaches. Get to know Lisbon in-depth with a series of walking, biking, and culinary tours, then set off on a road trip—winding your way south from medieval Alcobaça through the cork groves and vineyards of the Alentejo. Your journey comes to an end in Lagos, with boat trips and beach time on the stunning Algarve coast.

The Alhambra fortress at twilight
Best of Andalusia: Culture, Nature, & Food - 13 Days

This 13-day itinerary takes you from Seville to Jerez de la Frontera for the ultimate tour through Spain's Andalusia region. Along the route, you'll visit scenic villages like Ronda, set on a spectacular gorge, discover gorgeous Moorish architecture, and enjoy fabulous tapas in true Spanish style.

Aerial Views of Granada, Spain
Cities & Culture in Spain: Madrid, Seville, Granada, & Barcelona - 10 Days

Discover the culture of Spain's cities on this 9-day trip, starting with a tour through Madrid and an evening of flamenco and tapas in Seville. Then make your way to Granada, passing through the village of Ronda and a winery along the way. You'll explore Granada's famous Alhambra palace and gardens, then fly to Barcelona for a cycling tour of its historic districts, as well as a visit to the sites of Gaudí's.

Take a day trip to the Gothic-style Segovia Cathedral
Off the Beaten Path in Madrid - 6 Days

On this immersive 6-day itinerary, you'll get a local's eye view of Madrid as you explore its culture and cuisine with a series of guided walks and excursions. After visiting the capital's landmarks and sampling its best tapas, set out on a selection of easy day trips into the surrounding countryside of Castilla y León. Visit the historic towns of Segovia and Pedraza as you tour and taste your way through cheese farms, olive groves, and wineries, returning to the bustle of Madrid each evening.

Explore Barcelona and Madrid
Barcelona & Madrid: Best Itinerary Ideas

For most travelers, 6 to 9 days is the perfect amount of time for a Spain trip with stops in both Barcelona and Madrid. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as about 5 days. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop, or explore more of the country—some of our favorite itinerary extensions include Seville, Valencia, or Córdoba. See more ideas for Barcelona and Madrid itineraries below.

Recent trip reviews for Sam

Amazing Spain and Portugal
Spain | Sep 6 - Sep 29, 2022

K
Kay N.
Australia | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2023

This trip began in Nov 2019 just before Covid hit so unfortunately we had to postpone until Sep 2022. Sam was incredibly helpful with planning and tweaking to accommodate our changes.
We were amazed by the level of detail Sam provided and we actually spoke to him by phone from Spain which left us feeling very comfortable with the itinerary and that everything was above board.
We absolutely got value for money. Accommodation was 95% very good with just a couple of little glitches but... read more

This trip began in Nov 2019 just before Covid hit so unfortunately we had to postpone until Sep 2022. Sam was incredibly helpful with planning and tweaking to accommodate our changes.
We were amazed by the level of detail Sam provided and we actually spoke to him by phone from Spain which left us feeling very comfortable with the itinerary and that everything was above board.
We absolutely got value for money. Accommodation was 95% very good with just a couple of little glitches but these were compensated with other items. Drivers, guides and transport were above what we anticipated.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Kimkim in general but Sam in particular.
In fact, we are currently trying to organise a trip to the UK with Kimkim and do so very confidently

Local specialist: Sam Lister

Excellent trip with Kim Kim Travel
Spain | Sep 6 - Sep 29, 2022

Michelle
Michelle C.
Australia | Reviewed on Oct 15, 2022

After a two year delay we finally got to start our trip from Australia to Spain & Portugal.
From the moment we landed in Spain everything that we planned with Sam and his team were in place.
From being collected at the airport, drivers, guides, hotels and updates along the way, everything was well organised. He even booked restaurants in each town for us.
Sam and Chaima kept in contact with us during our tour, making sure everything was going OK.
The details this team put together was... read more

After a two year delay we finally got to start our trip from Australia to Spain & Portugal.
From the moment we landed in Spain everything that we planned with Sam and his team were in place.
From being collected at the airport, drivers, guides, hotels and updates along the way, everything was well organised. He even booked restaurants in each town for us.
Sam and Chaima kept in contact with us during our tour, making sure everything was going OK.
The details this team put together was excellent from the length of time of tours, pickup times, guides names, recommendations in each place we stayed as to where to eat, shopping and sightseeing in free time.
All the drivers and guides were excellent with their care for our wellbeing and local knowledge.
All the accommodation was excellent and central to all attractions.
We would highly recommend Sam and his team for your travel needs in Spain and Portugal.
Sam thank you and your team for a wonderful experience we had a great time.

Hotel Reviews
Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via
Madrid

We had a great room at the front of the hotel overlooking the main street. The room was very spacious and with a large bathroom. It was in a great location and the staff were very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
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Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel One Shot Goldsmith Aliados
Porto

Lovely hotel in Porto. The rooms were very clean and large enough and the bed was very comfortable. Our rooms had great views of the town square. The staff were very helpful and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
very central in town
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
H10 Duque de Loule
Lisboa

Great hotel with spacious rooms and very clean. The hotel had a great select for breakfast and all the staff were very helpful. It is in a very good location, short walk to the hop on hop off bus station starting point and close to a metro.

Authenticity & Character
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L'and Hotel & Vineyards
Montemor-o-Novo

This hotel is in a very beautiful spot for relaxing. The hotel and rooms are very clean, rooms are very spacious and the bed was very comfortable. Good size pool and lovely vineyards to walk around. It is a little out of town so you do need transport of some kind. The breakfast here is great with lots of choices and the restaurant was great. The staff were very helpful and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel H10 Casa de la Plata
Sevilla

This is a beautiful hotel centrally located in Seville. The staff were very friendly and helpful even helping to suggest restaurants and shopping. The rooms are comfortable and very clean. Can highly recommend this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Casa 1800 Granada
Granada

This is a very charming hotel in a good location. The rooms were very spacious and clean and the bed was comfortable. Staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast was a let down but this may be due to Covid impact. Overall this is a lovely hotel and I would recommend it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Las Casas de la Juderia Hotel
Córdoba

This is a really beautiful charming hotel. The staff were very helpful and friendly. It is centrally located but still quiet. The rooms were spacious and very clean. Even though we only stayed one night we would of loved to stay more we would highly recommend this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Walk of the Gothic Quarter with Tapas Dinner
Barcelona

This was a great tour and our guide Olga was very informative. We learnt about the history and culture and enjoyed the walk around the city and enjoyed some tapas. Would definitely recommend this tour!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona

This tour was amazing, and the La Sagrada Familia is just something else. Having our guide Olga to explain this history was also very helpful. Highly recommend this tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Walking Tour of Madrid & the Prado Museum
Madrid

This was a great tour learning about Madrid's history and the museum was very interesting. Having a local guide who knows the history helps bring the town to life. Great tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Enjoy a Private Walking Tour of Porto
Porto

This is a great tour taking in a lot of the city of Porto. Walking the streets gives you a great insight into Porto. Our guide was very helpful and answered all our questions.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip All About Dali
Spain

The trip to the home of Dali was a great day. Dali 's home is very quirky and interesting from the inside to the gardens to the beautiful seaside position it is located. The Dali museum again very interesting and worth seeing. Our guide Craig did a great job bringing its history to life for us and was very informative and helpful.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Day Trip to Toledo
Madrid

This tour was excellent. This city is beautiful and its history is very interesting. Our guide was informative and help answer our many questions. Great day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to the Douro Valley for a Wine Tour & River Cruise
Porto

Our guide Catarina helped make this a great day out for us. This day trip from Porto to the Douro Wine Region was great. The drive is very beautiful through the wine regions and the history of wine making is interesting. Sitting in the beautiful mountains sipping wine is a great day out.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Lisbon with a Private Walking Tour
Lisbon

Margarida was a wonderful guide for our walking tour in Lisbon. She provided so much information along the way and answered all our questions. We loved all the different parts of this tour. Great tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Take a Day Trip to Magical Sintra & Cascais
Lisbon

This tour was a great day out. Our guide provided so much information along the way and the Palace was worth seeing. Stopping along the way at the Natural park and driving along the coast was great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Private Flamenco & Tapas Tour
Seville

Our local guide Sam took us on a tour through Seville giving us information about this beautiful city. The tour included a local flamenco venue where we had the pleasure of watching a beautiful show with local artists. Sam explained the history behind a Flamenco performance. We then went on to enjoy a few tapas bars with excellent choices of food.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private City Tour of Seville
Seville

Our guide Estela provided us with a great insight to this city. From the beautiful palace and its gardens to the Jew quarters and the Cathedral. She was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. Seville is a lovely place.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Day Trip from {{start_location}} to {{end_location}}, via Ronda
Spain

The town of Rhonda is a must see. Our guide made this day very memorable proving us with information about the old and new town and the beautiful Rhonda bridge that joins them together. We enjoyed our walk through the streets and the Plaza De Toro's bullring and its history is interesting. This was a great day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Tour of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens
Granada

This was a great tour of the Alhambra. Our guide provided us with information along the way and answered our many questions. The building and gardens are amazing and the view over Granada was worth seeing. This is a really lovely town.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Tour of Córdoba
Córdoba

This tour was great. Our guide was very knowledge and answered many questions from us. The history behind the Mezquita mosque-Catholic church is interesting and our guide helped bring it to life. Exploring the winding streets and hearing the history was great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2022

Hi Michelle,

Thank you so much for your kind words! Im so glad that after a long wait we could finally make it all happen and im glad we got to meet in Seville as well!

Un abrazo
Sam and Chaima

This was the trip of a lifetime!
Spain | Dec 30 - Jan 10, 2022

Mollie
Mollie C.
La Vista, NE | Reviewed on Aug 14, 2022

Sam and his team were second to none. This trip was literally the trip of a lifetime!! From urban, to rural and private tours this trip had it all. It was well crafted to our personal wants and needs. There were several times we had a couple hiccups in plans and his team came through for us with flying colors!! We did hiking, village visits, wineries- you name it. Everything was organized, punctual, and perfect. I can’t recommend Sam enough. Just a wonderful host who knows the best of the... read more

Sam and his team were second to none. This trip was literally the trip of a lifetime!! From urban, to rural and private tours this trip had it all. It was well crafted to our personal wants and needs. There were several times we had a couple hiccups in plans and his team came through for us with flying colors!! We did hiking, village visits, wineries- you name it. Everything was organized, punctual, and perfect. I can’t recommend Sam enough. Just a wonderful host who knows the best of the best in Spain. I could write so much but just know, you are in safe hands! I would book a trip with this team numerous times over. Simply superb!!! Thanks Sam!

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Aug 15, 2022

Hi Mollie!
Many thanks for writing your review and for your very kind words! It was a pleasure planning your trip with you and also to meet you both in Sevilla! I hoe you're both well and send you abrazos from Sevilla! xx

Trip to Southern Spain 2022
Spain | May 8 - May 24, 2022

Pat
Pat P.
Canada | Reviewed on May 31, 2022

Hi Sam. I know Judy has already sent her review. We had a marvellous trip and very much appreciated having KimKim work with Tailormade Andalucia to make our wonderful itinerary. We also appreciated all the planning and organizing done by you with regards to all the details of the trip. On a scale of 1-10 I would give our KimKim experience a 10+++ and on that scale I would give our experience with you and Tailormade Andalucia a 10+++ too. The trip was a perfect blend of sightseeing and... read more

Hi Sam. I know Judy has already sent her review. We had a marvellous trip and very much appreciated having KimKim work with Tailormade Andalucia to make our wonderful itinerary. We also appreciated all the planning and organizing done by you with regards to all the details of the trip. On a scale of 1-10 I would give our KimKim experience a 10+++ and on that scale I would give our experience with you and Tailormade Andalucia a 10+++ too. The trip was a perfect blend of sightseeing and free time. All of the stresses of planning such a trip were assumed by KimKim and by you which reflected the benefits of working with someone who lives in the region and has the benefit of planning trips for tourists. Rocia from KimKim was in contact with us regularly during the trip to make sure everything was going well and she responded quickly any time we had a question. We thoroughly enjoyed all of our tours and found the guides to be exceptionally knowledgeable ( Ana, Filippo, Diego, Maria, Jose, Joaquin and Teresa). It was great to meet you and we loved the tapas tour with you in Sevilla. All of the hotels were fabulous and each unique in their own way. The Hotel H10s were great (centrally located and spacious) and we really enjoyed our stay in Ronda at the Hotel La Fuente de la Higuera and at the Hotel Fuerte Conil in Conil de la Frontera. The hike with Filippo in Costa Brava was a highlight as was the gorge walkway in Caminito Del Rey. Touring the Alhambra in Granada and the Alcazar in Cordoba were definitely take-away memories. If you ever took a big trip as a kid and your parents did all the planning and organizing and you got to go and have fun and just enjoy the trip, that would be how working with you and KimKim worked for us. I know we will plan future trips with KimKim and I have certainly recommended them to friends who are thinking about travelling. I would definitely recommend Tailormade Andalucia to anyone planning a trip to southern Spain. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Sam for planning our amazing trip.

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Jun 01, 2022

Hi Pat! Thank you very much indeed for taking the time to write!! It was pleasure to host you and a real pleasure for me to meet you all!! Many thanks for trusting us and kimkim with the planning of your trip! Un abrazo, sam

A Whirlwind of Portugal 12 days
Portugal | May 5 - May 16, 2022

Maryann
Maryann S.
North Ridgeville, OH | Reviewed on May 23, 2022

The tours, guides, chefs and places were beyond amazing!

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on May 24, 2022

Muito obrigado!

As mentioned in a text earlier, all the guide...
Portugal | May 5 - May 16, 2022

Maryann
Maryann S.
North Ridgeville, OH | Reviewed on May 21, 2022

As mentioned in a text earlier, all the guides, places, chefs, bus drivers were outstanding. They were kind and did their best to please us with recommendations. The hotels were excellent especially the Convent & the hotel at Algarve.
The wine tours, boat ride to Douro Valley was wonderful.
The cooking class outstanding, loved the place we learned and Hugo. Fatima was super, it was also nice to spend a day of leisure where we saw the beautiful coastline of Portugal, the caves etc. The... read more

As mentioned in a text earlier, all the guides, places, chefs, bus drivers were outstanding. They were kind and did their best to please us with recommendations. The hotels were excellent especially the Convent & the hotel at Algarve.
The wine tours, boat ride to Douro Valley was wonderful.
The cooking class outstanding, loved the place we learned and Hugo. Fatima was super, it was also nice to spend a day of leisure where we saw the beautiful coastline of Portugal, the caves etc. The tiny Villiage on top of the mountain (Monsaraz)was just gorgeous and amazing along with the cork harvesting farm/ tour .
The boat trip was special as it was so thoughtful of Sam to think of one of our passengers birthday, went on the secluded beach as well. Lisbon just wonderful and amazing sights am to see, love all the castle tours as well. Loved being near the water. All hotels provided outstanding breakfasts and dinners were wonderful! Unexpectedly to me we’re 4 of my group with physical challenges, and everyone went out if their way to accommodate. So thank you for such a fantastic itinerary & people, the kindness of everyone was outstanding.

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on May 24, 2022

Hi Maryann,
Many thanks for your kind words!! Yours was a very special trip, as it took us over 2 years to actually run it due to Covid and I know the group were ecstatic to finally make it happen! It was such a pleasure to meet you all for dinner in Albufeira as well! Muito obrigado and big hugs!

Spring Break in Spain
Spain | Mar 11 - Mar 18, 2022

Victoria
Victoria H.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Mar 24, 2022

We are a well-traveled family of 4. I usually plan our trip itineraries but just couldn’t this time due to work/life. KimKim and Sam to the rescue. I was a bit hesitant but Google Reviews were all good, so I took a chance in reaching out. After the first interaction with Sam, I knew I’d happily let him take care of our 9 day trip.
Prior to the trip, he was great at keeping me informed on ideas and planning progress. He asked questions (and made recommendations) re preferences on hotels and... read more

We are a well-traveled family of 4. I usually plan our trip itineraries but just couldn’t this time due to work/life. KimKim and Sam to the rescue. I was a bit hesitant but Google Reviews were all good, so I took a chance in reaching out. After the first interaction with Sam, I knew I’d happily let him take care of our 9 day trip.
Prior to the trip, he was great at keeping me informed on ideas and planning progress. He asked questions (and made recommendations) re preferences on hotels and excursions/tours, and then just took care of all of it. From the private transfers to/from airport, COVID tests, train tickets, and tours, it was all done seamlessly for us. When the cloudy/rainy weather caused us to cancel a bike tour in Barcelona and our Costa Brava excursions on a boat and e-bikes, Sam and the tour guides were able to shift to make sure we still had a fun and full day.
The on the ground tour guides were excellent. Teresa, an art historian, was so knowledgeable at the Prado and walking us around Madrid; Samuel had great stories at Montserrat and was a pleasure to talk with; Craig was excellent showing us around the medieval towns in Costa Brava and giving us so many little tidbits at the Dali museum that we’d never have seen or experienced without his info; and Maribel was informative and interesting during our day in Madrid experiencing Park Guell and Sagrada Familia. All of them interacted with our 11& 12 year old boys and made sure to keep them engaged. I even appreciated that our drive to and from the airport (Walter) was the same person to book end our trip with a safe and friendly drive.
The hotels were all 5* with excellent family room setups. I was very impressed.
I can’t recommend KimKim, Sam or the various tour guides enough. We can’t wait to go back to Spain!

Hotel Review
Mas de Torrent Hotel & Spa
Torrent - Girona

Great connecting room set up. Beautiful. Excellent cocktails, wine and food. Very relaxing spa. Boys loved the tennis courts.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Mar 24, 2022

Hi Victoria!
Thank you so much for writing such a detailed review! I really appreciate all your feedback and I'm delighted to read that you guys had such a good time and enjoyed all our guides and services so much. It was a real pleasure to host you here in Spain!
Un abrazo fuerte

Excellent trip to Spain
Spain | Dec 27 - Jan 5, 2022

B
Bruce H.
Kankakee, IL | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2022

I found kimkim with a Google search, and was impressed with the positive feedback given by former travelers. Now, I am the one giving the positive review without any hesitation! Our trip to Spain was planned excellently and with attention to detail by Sam. We certainly had some anxiety due to COVID restrictions, but decided to go ahead with the trip and had a wonderful experience. In addition, my wife had a fracture in her foot that limited her ability to walk distances, but wheelchair... read more

I found kimkim with a Google search, and was impressed with the positive feedback given by former travelers. Now, I am the one giving the positive review without any hesitation! Our trip to Spain was planned excellently and with attention to detail by Sam. We certainly had some anxiety due to COVID restrictions, but decided to go ahead with the trip and had a wonderful experience. In addition, my wife had a fracture in her foot that limited her ability to walk distances, but wheelchair assistance was arranged for her when possible. Transportation between sites was always on-time and each driver was very polite and helpful. Each guide was well-prepared and extremely informative and friendly and welcoming: Teresa in Madrid, Joaquin in Cordoba, Maria in Seville, Roberto and Paco in Granada, and Maria and Craig in Barcelona. We experienced so many wonderful sites, too many to mention, but the highlights were: Prado and Royal Palace in Madrid, Mosque-Cathedral and Alcazar in Cordoba, Cathedral and Alcazar in Seville, Alhambra and Albaicin in Granada, and Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell in Barcelona followed by a day trip to Montserrat and a winery near Barcelona. Our trip also included several meals and a Flamenco show, and we thoroughly enjoyed these as well as the sight-seeing planned in each city. Also, Sam and his colleague Fran checked in with us during the trip to make sure everything was going smoothly--and, of course, everything did go very smoothly thanks to the attention to detail by our travel agent! The accommodations were very nice and always in a convenient location in each city. Overall, we had an amazing experience, and would highly recommend Sam and kimkim to anyone. We have no regrets and only wish we had more than ten days to spend in Spain.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel H10 Casa de la Plata
Sevilla

Hotel is in a great location close to historical sites and shopping. However, if your room has an outside view, it can be noisy during the night. The staff were friendly and hotel was new and clean and nicely decorated.

Tips for future travelers

While the view of the street was nice, choose an interior room for less noise during the night.

Authenticity & Character
New and nicely decorated.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel NH Califa
Córdoba

Hotel was good--clean and convenient. However, it could use some updating. Staff was friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Casa 1800 Granada
Granada

Hotel was in a quiet, secluded street. Building was old with lots of character. Staff was extremely friendly.

Tips for future travelers

Highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful building and rooms.
Location
Close to shopping and sites in center of city,
Staff
So friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds weren't the most comfortable on our trip.
Gallery
Barcelona

Great location, very helpful staff, comfortable beds and climate control.

Authenticity & Character
A modern hotel. Nicely decorated.
Location
A little farther from tourist sites, but easily reached by taxi or walking.
Staff
Very helpful as this was our last hotel of the trip and we had documents that we needed printed out.
Cleanliness & Comfort
H10 Puerta de Alcalá
Madrid

Nice location, great breakfast, helpful staff. Hallway noise could be heard in rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private City Tour of Seville
Seville

We toured the Cathedral, Alcazar and explored a neighborhood with our guide, Maria. She was very informative and made the experience so much fun and informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was fun, informative, and well-prepared.
Transport
Private Tour of Park Güell & Sagrada Família
Barcelona

Parc Guell is fun and whimsical place to visit. Sagrada Familia is just too amazing for words. If you only have time for one place, go to Sagrada Familia. Also, our guide, Sandra, made the place come to life.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Took taxis, but had no issues.
Private Flamenco & Tapas Tour
Seville

Flamenco show was so much fun and interesting. Tapas tour was also informative and our guide explained the traditions and food choices to us. Delicious!

Quality of Experience
Food
Restaurant choices were excellent.
Private Tour of Córdoba
Córdoba

Mosque-Cathedral and Alcazar were fascinating and came to life with our guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Montserrat & Wine Tour
Barcelona

A great day trip from Barcelona. Nice to see the countryside and experience more culture away from the city.

Quality of Experience
Food
Stopped at a restaurant in a small town and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Craig transported us and was a great guide for our day.
Transport
Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2022

Hi Bruce,
Thank you so much for writing your review! Both Fran and I really appreciate your words and we're so happy you had such a good time! I'm also delighted Janell was comfortable thanks to the wheelchair assistance. It was a real pleasure to meet you all in Seville and I wish you guys a great 2022!! Un abrazo fuerte, Sam

10/10 would do it again!
Spain | Oct 19 - Oct 27, 2021

C
Chris P.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2021

Sam and his team did a wonderful job from start to finish. They were able to understand what we were looking for in our trip and did everything possible to accommodate us. Communication was clear, thoughtful and timely throughout the process. The guides he found to show us around the Costa Brava and Barcelona were awesome! During the trip itself, Sam's team made us feel taken care of and looked after. Each activity from kayaking to museum tours was amazing!

I would highly recommend using Sam. He brings the exactly what you are looking for to plan your next trip!

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2021

Hi Chris,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate you leaving a review. Lets just hope next time you come down to Seville and we can meet in person! Un abrazo fuerte

Trip of a lifetime....
Spain | Oct 16 - Oct 31, 2021

M
michelle F.
Fishers, IN | Reviewed on Nov 08, 2021

Sam was a dream to work with when planning my trip of a lifetime to Spain! I was able to provide Sam with my goals and interests, and he tailor-made the perfect trip for me. It was packed with traditional Spanish culture, art, food and drinks. I was able to see the vast landscape that Spain offers through adventure filled day trips. Every details was taken into consideration. The accommodations, drivers, tour guides, and food was phenomenal! While I was in Spain, Fran was always a text away... read more

Sam was a dream to work with when planning my trip of a lifetime to Spain! I was able to provide Sam with my goals and interests, and he tailor-made the perfect trip for me. It was packed with traditional Spanish culture, art, food and drinks. I was able to see the vast landscape that Spain offers through adventure filled day trips. Every details was taken into consideration. The accommodations, drivers, tour guides, and food was phenomenal! While I was in Spain, Fran was always a text away if I had a question or just need a recommendation on a place to visit! They truly are the dream team! I can't wait to someday share the special country with my family. I will be sure to use kimkim in the future! I could not recommend them enough.

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Nov 11, 2021

Hi Michelle!
Thank you so much for such a fantastic review! Its wonderful to read how much you enjoyed yourselves and it was a pleasure to host you here in Spain!
Un abrazo fuerte,
Sam

Sam and his crew did a bang up job on our las...
Spain | Jul 6 - Jul 19, 2021

Matt
Matt D.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on Jul 26, 2021

Sam and his crew did a bang up job on our last minute trip. All the accommodations and arrangements were top notch. They even helped us get fast PCR test appointments on the weekend for our onward travel. A great time for our family!

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Jul 26, 2021

Muchas gracias for your review Matt! It was a pleasure to host you guys and to meet you in Seville! Im so glad to hear you guys enjoyed yourselves so much. Un abrazo grande

Magical Sisters Trip to Northern Spain
Spain | Jun 18 - Jun 30, 2021

Eileen
Eileen S.
Apopka, FL | Reviewed on Jul 25, 2021

Words can't express our gratitude and sheer joy we experienced using KimKim, but most important part was having Sam Lister aka our guardian angel tailormade our 14 Days of Northern Spain into reality!

Sam put together a trip of lifetime discovering Northern Spain from Santiago de Compostela, Cangas de Onis, Bilbao, LaGuardia and San Sebastian. Every aspect of our trip was planned to perfection to experience each region to the max.

My sister and I had private transport throughout our trip,... read more

Words can't express our gratitude and sheer joy we experienced using KimKim, but most important part was having Sam Lister aka our guardian angel tailormade our 14 Days of Northern Spain into reality!

Sam put together a trip of lifetime discovering Northern Spain from Santiago de Compostela, Cangas de Onis, Bilbao, LaGuardia and San Sebastian. Every aspect of our trip was planned to perfection to experience each region to the max.

My sister and I had private transport throughout our trip, and had dedicated tour guides in each city to ensure we immerse ourselves with the local cuisine, learn the history behind customs, and enjoy the most beautiful vistas while hiking Pico de Europa or San Sebastian.

Our trip started in Santiago de Compestela where we stayed at Parador de Santiago a five star renovated 15th Century Building right next to Cathedral of Santiago. During our stay we saw a few pilgrims finish there trip. We had a lovely tour guide named Eva who gave us a private walking tour of Santiago. We were also fortunate to be able to see the renovations that had been completed in the entry to Cathedral. Another day we went on a day trip to Ribeira Sacra with a boat ride and winery visit.

On our private transport to Cangas de Onis we stopped at a lovely seaside village Cudillero, and had lunch at Casa Julio where they bring the fish for you to pick what's been caught that day. Food was amazing and the wine divine.

We stayed at Hotel Parador de Cangas de Onis another renovated building that used to be San Pedro de Villanueva Monastery. Our guide Jose Miguel took us to Picos de Europa a majestic view all around, and to enjoy a stroll along the shores. We also visited a cider brewery and enjoyed the lovely village of Cabrales.

Our next stop was Bilbao where our private driver took us to lunch at a lovely coastal village of Castro Urdiales at a restaurant named Asador del Puerto (we recommend ordering the fish of the day). We stayed at Hotel Vincci Consulado de Bilbao, which overlooks the Guggenheim Museum and the river. Our tour guide Susana took us on a private tour of Bilbao, and the most scrumptious Pintxos. Her insight into the city culture, history and hot spots were very insightful, plus we really enjoyed her company and asked her to join our sisters trip! We also visited the Guggenheim, and enjoyed the local stores and antique jewelry shops around the city.

Our next stop was Laguardia which is home to more bodegas then people! We stayed at the renovated historic palace Hospederia De Los Parajes. We were so lucky to be in time for the celebration of San Sebastian. We got to see the local wear their traditional gowns, and be part of the celebration. Also, at midnight they had fireworks show outside the castle fortress. Our local guide Marina was the most amazing person, and expert on local wines. We had a private tours of various vineyards in La Rioja region. We also enjoyed a delicious local meal of lamb chops with great wine to wash it down.

Our final stop was San Sebastian. We stayed at Hotel de Londres which is ideally located right on the beach front of San Sebastian. We had our local guide Iaeaki take us to city center, and old part as well to enjoy best pintxos in town, paired with the best Spanish wines and drinks. We also did a private hiking tour along the Basque coastline looking down Bay of Biscay. Trust me after all the amazing food, wines and drinks we had on our trip we needed the exercise!

Our last night was spent in Madrid at the Gran Hotel Ingles. Great hotel within walking distance to Prado Museum, Buen Retiro Park, and shops. I highly recommend eating at Dis Tinto food is out of the world!

Throughout our entire trip Sam made sure that we had a wonderful experience, and all our travels went without a hitch. Sam even made sure when AA changed their policy for coming back to the USA, he scheduled our COVID-19 test for us. Everything Sam planned was perfection.

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Jul 26, 2021

Hi Eileen!
Thank you for such a detailed review! It reflects a lot of what you did which is lovely to read! And i also love the photos!! Thank you so much for sharing and for choosing to travel with us. It was a pleasure to host you both xx

Barcelona/costa brava
Spain | Jul 3 - Jul 10, 2021

Jennifer
Jennifer S.
Schulenburg, TX | Reviewed on Jul 14, 2021

It was my first trip out of the US and my bf’s first time to Spain. Sam did an amazing job with all our bookings! He was excellent in picking the best hotels& activities within our budget. He didn’t try to oversell. Our hotels had great views of the cathedrals in the gothic district/Bacelona and sea views in costa brava. The activities arranged really made our experience memorable. Sam was available throughout our trip for any questions. I was impressed with the service during booking and... read more

It was my first trip out of the US and my bf’s first time to Spain. Sam did an amazing job with all our bookings! He was excellent in picking the best hotels& activities within our budget. He didn’t try to oversell. Our hotels had great views of the cathedrals in the gothic district/Bacelona and sea views in costa brava. The activities arranged really made our experience memorable. Sam was available throughout our trip for any questions. I was impressed with the service during booking and throughout our trip. Sam took almost all the stress out of traveling to a new country for us. We will use kimkim on our next trip!

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Jul 14, 2021

Hi Jennifer!
Thank you so much for your kind words! It really was a pleasure to be able to host you guys! I'm so glad you had such a good time with us. Please do keep in touch and hopefully I can buy you guys a beer in Seville some time soon!!!

The trip was great! Well planned in every res...
Portugal | Dec 25 - Jan 4, 2020

A
Allyson A.
Scarsdale, NY | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2020

The trip was great! Well planned in every respect. It made sense to stay in only 3 places and not move around every day. All 3 hotels were great - we especially loved Casa Balthazar, everything about it. We enjoyed all three cities. The excursions to the port distillery could have been done in an hour at most, they didn't have much to show or explain, it was mostly tasting the 3 different ports. The trip to the fishing village was nice but not much to see - lunch was good, but it didn't... read more

The trip was great! Well planned in every respect. It made sense to stay in only 3 places and not move around every day. All 3 hotels were great - we especially loved Casa Balthazar, everything about it. We enjoyed all three cities. The excursions to the port distillery could have been done in an hour at most, they didn't have much to show or explain, it was mostly tasting the 3 different ports. The trip to the fishing village was nice but not much to see - lunch was good, but it didn't need 1/2 day. I loved the walk around the University at Coimbra, learning about the culture of the place, and we arranged to hear good Fado there and had probably our best meal of the whole trip at No Tacho.
W e loved visiting Alviera and to Costa Nova on the trip between Porto and Coimbra, those were great stops. Between Coimbra and Lisbon we stopped at Tamor on the advice of people we met along the way, but it was closed. We went to Nazare, which was fun - the surfers and the ladies in their 7 skirts, and to Fatima as well. All the guides were good, they have done their homework and are well informed - our favorite was Tiago in Lisbon, took us to see lots of things one wouldn't ordinarily notice and was very personable. We learned a lot of history, ate a lot of great food and drank great wine, did a lot of walking (it seemed to be all up, rarely down), had amazing weather. It also made a big difference that most of the people, the younger ones at least, spoke English. Altogether a wonderful trip! Thank you!
Allyson and Bruce

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2020

Hi Allyson!
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback and for sharing so many great photos!!! We're really glad you guys had a good time and were able to celebrate Christmas and New Year in style!!! I agree with you, it's incredible how you always seem to be going uphill in the big Portuguese cities!!

Un abrazo fuerte,
Sam

Northern Coast of Spain
Spain | Oct 16 - Nov 1, 2019

J
Janet C.
Asbury Park, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 05, 2019

Except for the weather our trip was a wonderful experience and Sam and Rocio had no control over that. The local guides Susanna, Earnesto and Eva were so willing to share their knowledge with us and the time we spent with them enhanced our trip greatly. Thanks also for recommending hotels which were we excellently located. Thanks especially for recommending that we stay in Getaria rather than San Sebastián. We never would have thought it except as stop to visit the Balenciaga Museum. ... read more

Except for the weather our trip was a wonderful experience and Sam and Rocio had no control over that. The local guides Susanna, Earnesto and Eva were so willing to share their knowledge with us and the time we spent with them enhanced our trip greatly. Thanks also for recommending hotels which were we excellently located. Thanks especially for recommending that we stay in Getaria rather than San Sebastián. We never would have thought it except as stop to visit the Balenciaga Museum.
Based on our experienced with Sam, Rocio and the guided we have already recommended kimkim to a friend planning a trip to Greece.

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Nov 05, 2019

Hi Janet,
On behalf of Rocio and myself, many, many thanks for writing your review!! We are delighted you guys enjoyed your Kimkim & Tailormade Andalucia experience!! If you guys decide to come back and travel in the South, we'll be sure to take you for a tapa or two!! We also have better control of the good weather down here!! ;-) Un abrazo, Sam

Trip to Spain
Spain | Sep 16 - Oct 4, 2019

C
Chris G.
New Zealand | Reviewed on Oct 13, 2019

Sam, Rocio and the Tailormade Andalucia team provided an excellent service. They guided us very sensibly in terms of our 3 week itinerary - at the right pace and with a great mix of experiences, including local guides now and then. Our accommodation was of a very high standard... and when things weren't quite perfect they intervened to make sure things were. They were absolutely committed to making sure we had a great trip and nothing was too much trouble. So thanks again Sam and Rocio! We loved Spain and we will be back!

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2019

Hi Chris,
Many thanks for taking the time to write about your trip with us! We really enjoyed hosting you guys and I very much enjoyed meeting you personally in Sevilla!! It's great to hear you had such a good time!! Un abrazo fuerte

Kyle's 40th Birthday Trip to Spain
Spain | Sep 19 - Oct 2, 2019

K
kyle l.
West Sacramento, CA | Reviewed on Oct 10, 2019

Our family trip to Spain was very memorable. Sam and his team were top notch and provided us with everything that we needed from hotels to transportation to specialized guides for all the things that we were interested in seeing and experiencing. They put such a personal touch on every step of the way. Each day they had us dialed in for exclusive experiences; and the tickets were Pre-paid so that we were able to go right into some of the worlds greatest attractions like last sagrada Familia... read more

Our family trip to Spain was very memorable. Sam and his team were top notch and provided us with everything that we needed from hotels to transportation to specialized guides for all the things that we were interested in seeing and experiencing. They put such a personal touch on every step of the way. Each day they had us dialed in for exclusive experiences; and the tickets were Pre-paid so that we were able to go right into some of the worlds greatest attractions like last sagrada Familia and the Picasso museum. Additionally Sam’s assistant Rocio was most helpful. She was only a phone call away the whole time and had our backs in anything that we needed, including a last minute massage.

From the very first phone call I could tell that Sam was a very special man. He interviewed me and took to heart all the things that I had requested for my family to experience in our trip to Spain. Every detail was covered and he truly has a gift for taking what’s in your heart for traveling and turning it into reality. All of the guides along the way that he had hired and set up were spectacular. They were totally professional and experts in many types of languages, historical references, and local traditions.

We had the opportunity to see five different cities in Spain within the span of 13 days. We went to Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Rhonda, and Seville. In each city there were special touches and awesome opportunities to see the best of what they had to offer. Sam‘s team even provided us with a book of suggestions for things to do, restaurants, and local hotspots. Additionally all of the transportation was included. On the first day we arrived on our trip to Spain, we were given a packet with all of the information we needed. In the packet we received tickets for train and air travel, a book that laid out each day of our trip in detail, and they even included some special gifts handcrafted by local artisans.

This was the most thorough, reasonable, worry free, informational, and smooth traveling experience that I have ever had. Thanks to Sam and his team we fall in love with Spain and we can’t wait to come back.

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Oct 11, 2019

Hi Kyle,
Thank you so much for writing your review!! It means a lot to myself and Rocio to read your words and hear how happy you were throughout!! As I said before, it was a pleasure to meet you and your family and I really hope we can meet up again whether it is "aquí" or in your neck of the woods!
Un abrazo muy fuerte!

A relaxing trip to Spain with senior parents
Spain | Sep 12 - Sep 26, 2019

W
Won Sun P.
San Mateo, CA | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2019

I've been to Spain several times and love this country so much. This time, I was taking my 74-year-old parents with me to Spain. It was their first time and I wanted them to have an amazing experience and fall in love with Spain as much as I did. Instead of planing the trip on my own, I decided to use KimKim to help me plan the trip to make sure my parents would have a smooth experience. KimKim connected me with Sam's team and it could not have been better. The entire trip was super smooth... read more

I've been to Spain several times and love this country so much. This time, I was taking my 74-year-old parents with me to Spain. It was their first time and I wanted them to have an amazing experience and fall in love with Spain as much as I did. Instead of planing the trip on my own, I decided to use KimKim to help me plan the trip to make sure my parents would have a smooth experience. KimKim connected me with Sam's team and it could not have been better. The entire trip was super smooth and Sam planned everything, especially the transportation that made the most differences. My parents are old and can't walk a lot. Sam planned private cars picking us up and dropping us off wherever we went and it was invaluable. The guided tours that Sam arranged for us were amazing as well, especially José in Seville. We learned so much about the culture and food in Andalusia and José made us felt like we were spending time with an old local friend! Throughout the entire trip, Rocio stood by and ready to help whenever we needed something. The hotel room Sam booked for us in Granada has the view of Alhambra! And the hotel in Barcelona on our last day was right in the shopping district, perfect for us to do some last-minute shopping before heading back home.

I couldn't have planned it myself like this and my parents' experience in Spain would not have been the same without KimKim and Sam's team.

I definitely recommend them if you ever find yourself heading out to Spain!

Muchas gracias

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2019

Dear Won Sun,
Thank you so much for your review and your kind words! It was a pleasure corresponding with you and creating your trip together. It was also really great to meet you guys in person and have breakfast together when you were here in Seville. On behalf of myself, Rocio, Jose and the Tailormade Andalucia team, thank you once again for your review and for choosing to plan your trip with us! Un abrazo

Spain 2019
Spain | Jun 14 - Jun 22, 2019

P
Paula K.
York, PA | Reviewed on Jun 26, 2019

Sam was fantastic. His communication was superb, he listened to our requests well and provided excellent experiences coordinated by reliable, on-time, friendly, competent and helpful drivers and guides. He made us reservations at restaurants with unbelievable vistas - we couldn't believe our views in Granada and in Ronda - once-in-a-lifetime dining! Our guide in Seville was our favorite - Delia was kind, helpful, friendly, engaging and professional. The bike ride she took us on was... read more

Sam was fantastic. His communication was superb, he listened to our requests well and provided excellent experiences coordinated by reliable, on-time, friendly, competent and helpful drivers and guides. He made us reservations at restaurants with unbelievable vistas - we couldn't believe our views in Granada and in Ronda - once-in-a-lifetime dining! Our guide in Seville was our favorite - Delia was kind, helpful, friendly, engaging and professional. The bike ride she took us on was fabulous and tapas and Flamenco was delicious and captivating. The bull fight was an unforgettable experience and visiting the Bull farm on the same day was perfect timing. We loved all the towns we saw and enjoyed being in cities as well as the country side. Overall an EXCELLENT trip and we will be recommending KimKim to our friends as well as using this service again ourselves. FIVE STARS!!!

Local specialist: Sam Lister
Sam
Sam Lister
Local specialist in Sevilla, Spain | Reviewed on Jun 27, 2019

Hi Paula,
Thank you very much for your kind words!! It really means a lot when we read these comments and know that we're doing things well! We're all absolutely delighted that you guys had such a good time!
Un abrazo,
Sam