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Hector Molina

Born and raised in Spain, I had the opportunity to travel all over the world
and discover the highlights and secrets of every place I visited. I truly
believe that each of the trips we make changes the vision of how we see the world and changes our lives. In my opinion, traveling is more than just visiting different places, I think it is about creating unique memories that we can share with other people forever.

I am a lover of history and heritage with experience as a local guide in cities like Madrid or Toledo, which has helped me to recognize the needs of our travelers and make them live a unique experience. I like to help people when they visit my country because I expect the same from them when I visit their countries.

Tourism has become a fundamental part of our lives, and my job in the company is to provide not only a trip but also to immerse you in the history, culture, and gastronomy of every place. Each trip is different, cities and people we meet along the way make our experience unforgettable.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in creating unique experiences in Spain and Portugal that allow the traveler to learn about the history and traditions of each country."

How did you get involved in travel?

"My studies in history and heritage have always made me interested in tourism. After my experience as a tour guide, I would like to share all my knowledge so that travelers can have a real experience in all the places I have visited. I think tourism and culture have a very important relationship so joint both of them is one of my passions."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Probably my best travel experience has been backpacking in Thailand and Vietnam for two months. In all this time I had the opportunity to know in depth the culture and traditions of both countries. Visiting the north of Thailand with its beautiful landscapes, its incredible temples, and special gastronomy. Also, the south of the country to know its paradisiacal beaches of crystalline water. In Vietnam I was able to meet different people and cultures with incredible places, in my memory will always be Ha Long Bay. I also visited the Mekong Delta area with its great history and wonderful people. This experience allowed me to change my vision of traveling and allowed me to grow as a person."

Hector is part of the following groups: the Azores Travel Agents, Portugal Travel Agents, Spain Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Favorite experiences

History & Culture Walk

Discover the wonders of San Sebastián, the Basque seaside city where Spanish royals once vacationed, on this guided walk. You'll wander the historic streets of the Parte Vieja (Old Town), passing ornate cathedrals and sweeping plazas. Next, visit the Parte Nuevo (New Town) for Belle Époque...

Half-Day Wine Tasting In Frascati from Rome

Enjoy an excursion to Frascati, a town famous for its wines since Ancient Rome! Enjoy learning about the history of Frascati while tasting local products like slow-roasted pork and Frascati jug wine. You’ll meet local artisans and shop owners who are eager to share their stories. Your guide is...

Private Flamenco, City & Tapas Experience

Dig deep into Spanish culture alongside your guide to enjoy a special evening of passionate flamenco, a stroll through an authentic Sevillian neighborhood, and delicious tapas and wine. Begin with a flamenco show in the historic Triana neighborhood (the birthplace of many renowned flamenco...

Recent trip reviews for Hector

Another exceptional trip planned by Kimkim
Spain | Oct 12 - Oct 26, 2026

Karen
Karen C.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 29, 2026
Hector, our local specialist, was incredible in the planning process. He was excellent at responding to numerous questions and making changes to multiple itineraries to prepare a customized trip for my family in Spain. This is the second trip Hector has planned for us. Last year, he customized an itinerary for us to Portugal which also was an exceptional trip. I would highly recommend booking a trip with Hector. Our top three excursions were: a tapas tour on arrival, a paella cooking... Read more

Hector, our local specialist, was incredible in the planning process. He was excellent at responding to numerous questions and making changes to multiple itineraries to prepare a customized trip for my family in Spain. This is the second trip Hector has planned for us. Last year, he customized an itinerary for us to Portugal which also was an exceptional trip. I would highly recommend booking a trip with Hector.

Our top three excursions were: a tapas tour on arrival, a paella cooking class with Claudia from "Just Royal" and the Caminito del Rey.

The tapas tour set us up for a wonderful introduction into the Spanish culture of slowing down in the afternoons and sharing tapas at an outdoor cafe. Brais, our tour guide was engaging, energetic and knowledgeable on the varieties of foods/wines. He even had us participate in a tradition called Porron, which numerous tour participants engaged in. Fun, fun!

We loved our excursion of the paella cooking class. Claudia, our formally trained cooking instructor, engaged all six of us in the cooking class in the preparation of the food which included: food selection, chopping, sautéing and even browning the brûlée. The excursion culminated in a lunch expertly presented of the food we had cooked. Delicious!!

The Caminita del Rey was an excursion I had read about which involved catwalks 300-feet above the river which were formerly used by maintenance workers for a hydro-electric power plant. Although the height could be dizzying for some, my husband who is afraid of heights was able to partake in the hike/walk. What an amazing engineering marvel knowing the catwalks were originally built in the early 1900's (but were recently upgraded with added safety features in 2016).

Least favorite excursion: Cycle the Via Verde. I had originally thought this would be a guided trip, however, it was not. The maps and GPS given to us by the company were not helpful. Fortunately, we had our smart phone that eventually allowed us to get out of the city. It took us 4 hours to get to our destination and 2 hours to return which shows how lost we were getting out of the city. If I were to make a recommendation, I would not choose this company to do the trip again. I would also have preferred to select a bike company on the outskirts of the city so we would not need to navigate the city if we were biking independent of a tour guide.

Best Hotels: My daughter was a huge fan of the Casa Romana Hotel Boutique and the tastefully decorated contemporary rooms. She described it as being "the classiest hotel she has ever been in". She is actually very accurate. My husband and I loved the "Catalonia Ronda" because it had additional space in the room with a couch and chairs that provided a place for us to gather and play a game or two in the privacy of our room.

The kimkim app is invaluable to all in our party. It was a great resource because it was well-organized with our vouchers, directions with links, updates and chat feature. This is such a bonus to traveling.

Thank you for your kindness and expertise in planning our trip. We will continue to use Kimkim for any future guided trips.

Karen and company!

Hotel Reviews
Gran Hotel Havana
Barcelona

Hotel offers a fitness center but only really two people could occupy space. Centrally located which was great!

Authenticity & Character
Loved the rooftop lounge
Location
Close to hotels and walking distance to central part of town.
Staff
Concierge/check in staff lovely. They stored our luggage until our room was available which was helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Diana
Tossa de Mar

Centrally located and clean only a few feet from the beach. We were in this location in mid-October and found many of the restaurants were closed down. Parking with the hotel was a walk off site but manageable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right near the beach.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Romana Hotel Boutique
Sevilla

My daughter thought this hotel was "the nicest place she has ever stayed!"

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful and clean
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Catalonia Ronda
Ronda

Appreciated having a small couch and extra chairs in the room as a place for our family to gather. The view from the restaurant was amazing in the mornings. The breakfast was delicious!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Overlooks the breath-taking mountains.
Staff
Exceptional.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bathrooms were large and super clean. The hotel felt luxurious!
Hotel Palacio de Santa Inés
Granada

Rooms were very small and although the hotel had recently been refurbished...it did not feel that way. There was really no place to open a suitcase except on the bed. The toilet malfunctioned while we were there, however, they were quick to have a repairmen there the next morning. No elevator...this is not a place for someone that is disabled.

Authenticity & Character
Definitely authentic.
Location
Centrally located and only a one block walk to the Main Street.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Entrance Tickets to Caminito del Rey
Entrance Tickets to Caminito del Rey
Spain

Once in a lifetime experience. You need to do

Quality of Experience
The awe of being in the canyon on the catwalks was great.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was funny and full of energy. She was organized and very safety conscious.
Discover Granada’s Iconic Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
Discover Granada’s Iconic Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
Spain

Beautiful gardens. The architecture was pretty amazing.

Quality of Experience
Beautiful gardens.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable.
Barcelona Highlights: Montjuïc, Gothic Quarter & Sagrada Familia
Barcelona Highlights: Montjuïc, Gothic Quarter & Sagrada Familia
Barcelona

Great overview of the city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable. It would be helpful to provide a brief timeline of the different countries/religions in power. The nature of the tour is that you are traveling between sites but it wasn't until the 10th day of hearing about the history that I could put my own timeline together.
Transport
Lots of walking.
From Market to Table: Cook Authentic Spanish Dishes
From Market to Table: Cook Authentic Spanish Dishes
Barcelona

Claudia was amazing! She was funny, engaging, patient and a great teacher of cooking.

Quality of Experience
A nice break from the excursions that just delivered a lot of historical facts.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Claudia was awesome as was her assistant who unfortunately I cannot remember her name.
Monumental Seville on Foot & Visit Real Alcázar
Monumental Seville on Foot & Visit Real Alcázar
Seville

Tour was well-done. I feel it is important to do these overall tours when going to a new city, however, I found the information became overwhelming after a while.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cycle the Via Verde: Seville to Carmona by Electric Bike
Cycle the Via Verde: Seville to Carmona by Electric Bike
Seville

Least favorite activity of the trip. The GPS and maps were not helpful. We spent too much time trying to get out of the city.

Quality of Experience
Directions not great. Bike worked well.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Poor explanation of directions.
Excursion to Montserrat Monastery & Scenic Mountain Hike
Excursion to Montserrat Monastery & Scenic Mountain Hike
Barcelona

We hiked the mountain for our excursion and loved the opportunity to be outdoors. Make sure you wear good walking shoes. There was not much time for us to wonder the market or get a bite to eat. We picked up a beverage at the supermarket and ate when we got back from the excursion. It might be good to bring a snack and water with you. I was under the impression our tour was supposed to include a snack...that did not occur.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable on the plants of the area.
Transport
Costa Brava Coastal Escape: Kayak, Snorkel & Scenic Walks
Costa Brava Coastal Escape: Kayak, Snorkel & Scenic Walks
Spain

We were fortunate to have this excursion with just our family of four. We loved the 45 minute walk along the coastal trail prior to our kayak trip. The guide spoke about the flora. Our guide kayaked us to a section of the cliffs where there was a via fuerata and we snorkeled below the people. It was a beautiful relaxing trip. There was enough time for us to get tapas at a restaurant beach-side. It was a lovely day.

Quality of Experience
Appreciated the relaxed day away from the city.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ronda Up Close: A Guided Walk
Ronda Up Close: A Guided Walk
Spain

Guide really knowledgeable about the town. The walk was well-organized going through the three distinct different neighborhoods. The hike culminated at the Nuevo Bridge with the sunset shining though the arches. My favorite city!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable.
Taste Barcelona: Authentic Tapas & Neighborhood Walk
Taste Barcelona: Authentic Tapas & Neighborhood Walk
Barcelona

Great way to start the vacation after a long flight from the states. I was a walking tour to three different restaurants. We sampled different tapas at each of the restaurants paired with wine/beer.

Quality of Experience
Food
The variety of food. The guide was great at selecting the different tapas.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Exceptional! He came with a lot of energy, funny stories and had a knack for engaging the group. My family LOVED this tour.
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Nov 03, 2026
Hi Karen, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed review! It was an absolute pleasure working with you again and helping your family discover more of Spain. I'm especially happy to hear that you enjoyed so many of the experiences, from the tapas tour and paella cooking class to the incredible Caminito del Rey. I truly appreciate your trust in me, not only for this trip but also after having planned your Portugal adventure last year. It means a lot to know that you... Read more

Hi Karen,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed review!

It was an absolute pleasure working with you again and helping your family discover more of Spain. I'm especially happy to hear that you enjoyed so many of the experiences, from the tapas tour and paella cooking class to the incredible Caminito del Rey.

I truly appreciate your trust in me, not only for this trip but also after having planned your Portugal adventure last year. It means a lot to know that you and your family have created such wonderful memories along the way.

Thank you again for your kind words and for sharing your recommendations and feedback. I hope we have the opportunity to plan another adventure together soon!

All the best,
Héctor

The entire trip went very smooth. All the gu...
Portugal | Sep 19 - Oct 9, 2026

Darcy
Darcy F.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2026
The entire trip went very smooth. All the guides and drivers were very good and always on time. The 2 guides that stood out the most was Paulo and Vasco. Read more

The entire trip went very smooth. All the guides and drivers were very good and always on time. The 2 guides that stood out the most was Paulo and Vasco.

Activity Reviews
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon

Very informative

Quality of Experience
Explore Porto’s Hidden Gems with a Local Guide
Explore Porto’s Hidden Gems with a Local Guide
Porto
Guided Visit to the Medieval Town of Óbidos
Guided Visit to the Medieval Town of Óbidos
Óbidos
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Nice and comfortable car
Furnas Valley Excursion: Crater Lake, Hot Springs & Tea Plantation
Furnas Valley Excursion: Crater Lake, Hot Springs & Tea Plantation
São Miguel Island

We saw and experienced a lot on this trip. Vasco was a very good guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Peneda-Gerês National Park Experience: Easy Hike & Cultural Experience
Peneda-Gerês National Park Experience: Easy Hike & Cultural Experience
Porto

We saw and did a lot but it was also a long day. A bit too long.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Riding in the Land Rover wasn’t the most comfortable. Wouldn’t do that again.
Aveiro Experience: The Venice of Portugal
Aveiro Experience: The Venice of Portugal
Portugal
Quality of Experience
A bit overrated
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Portugal - Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure
Portugal - Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure
Portugal
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Oct 20, 2026

Hi Darcy,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m absolutely delighted to hear that everything went so well and that you enjoyed the services of our drivers and guides, especially Paulo and Vasco.

It was truly a pleasure helping you plan this wonderful trip, and I’m so happy to know that you had such a memorable experience in Portugal and are returning home with so many wonderful memories.

I hope to have the opportunity to help you plan another trip in the future!

Warmest regards,
Héctor

From Lagos to Porto and beyond Portugal is beautiful
Portugal | Sep 24 - Oct 7, 2026

suzanne(Sue)
suzanne(Sue) s.
Ottawa, ON, Canada | Reviewed on Oct 12, 2026
We had Two weeks in 2 very different parts of Portugal was just enough time to experience the food, culture, scenery and not t feel rushed. Hector (Espiritu tours) /kim Kim worked closely with us to ensure we had nice accommodations, booked our rental car, and provided great tips on what to see. Our fav spot was the ambiance village in Lagos- and algarve area for scenery. Get à car 4/5 days to do detours along coast and we drove to Sevilla Spain for 1 night. Food delicious everywhere.... Read more

We had Two weeks in 2 very different parts of Portugal was just enough time to experience the food, culture, scenery and not t feel rushed. Hector (Espiritu tours) /kim Kim worked closely with us to ensure we had nice accommodations, booked our rental car, and provided great tips on what to see. Our fav spot was the ambiance village in Lagos- and algarve area for scenery. Get à car 4/5 days to do detours along coast and we drove to Sevilla Spain for 1 night. Food delicious everywhere. Do the 2 hr e-tuk tuk tour with a local (white tuk tuks !! not the ones blasting music) Lots of history !! Breakfasts were great ! Try white port, go see Porto it’s beautiful. And do a-sunset sail boat in Porto ! Thank you Hector !

Hotel Reviews
MeraPrime Gold Design Hotel
Lisbon

Great central hotel very nice staff. Only thing missing was that they don’t have wine or snacks onsite . Rooms are small so don’t pack large suitcases.

Authenticity & Character
Loves the tiny balcony comfy beds
Location
Walking easy to main square on the river and to restaurants but very hilly to some
Staff
Friendly helpful spoke Eng and French
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed and pillows very comfy
Costa D'Oiro Ambiance Village
8600-544

10 out of 10 ! for layout/place to park car. Very central for exploring. Huge included breakfast spread. Quick to get to Bengali caves boat tour do it!! Highlight of our trip . About 30 min cab to the Quinta lunch at vineyard (do it!!) 2 complaints 1. pillow was too squishy,and 2. they had -scented toilet paper??? No where else in Portugal that we stayed did. I’m very allergic to some fragrance so I actually went and bought my own :(

Authenticity & Character
Was like your own little villa. We were on ground floor. Had our own little table /chair overlooking little pool beautiful bougainvillea
Location
Easy walk to see sunset over dunes you don’t have to go the full way . Quiet nice pool
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Better pillows (they were way too flat)
AP Eva Senses
Faro, Algarve

Huge room with view of Marina . Literally no parking /stoppinnarea all fulleven though it was late Sept . Had to park really far away and drag suitcase

Authenticity & Character
Stunning view over the water-beautiful sunset
Location
Hotel should have an agreement w a parking garage next to it
Staff
Front desk with advice on parking
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed and pillows perfect
Casa Romana Hotel Boutique
Sevilla

Hotel is great but Street was fully dug up in front so very difficult to drag suitcases from parking along a single file cobblestone sidewalk . Plus construction noise. They told us work going on since May and won’t be done until maybe Nov . The rooftop plunge pool was Fantastic . Hotel is close walking distance to authentic flamenco show.

Authenticity & Character
Interesting inner sitting area
Location
Close to restaurants and flamenco show
Staff
Helped us find parking lot (detour because of construction)
Cleanliness & Comfort
Good bed and pillows Hotel clean
Dorma Almada Porto
Porto

Great location , comfy rooms, short walk to some attractions.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lobby/rooms all nice comfy bed
Activity Reviews
Explore Lisbon by Electric Tuk-Tuk
Explore Lisbon by Electric Tuk-Tuk
Portugal

You need to do this! Get a driver who is local and learn so much in a short time . Jon was great! Grew up in Lisbon!! There is no way you can see as much walking the up and downhills is insane

Quality of Experience
Transport
Toured old city - spectacular view over to Great views narrow streets lots of fun
Exploring Sintra & Cascais:  Palaces, Cliffs & Coastline
Exploring Sintra & Cascais: Palaces, Cliffs & Coastline
Lisbon
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Algarve Wines & Traditional Lunch at a Quinta
Algarve Wines & Traditional Lunch at a Quinta
Portugal

Spectacular lunch in this very old authentic spot . Met some nice people from Uk and USA

Quality of Experience
Authentic and beautiful
Food
Delicious simple spread
Transport
Take an uber or bolt
Explore Porto’s Hidden Gems with a Local Guide
Explore Porto’s Hidden Gems with a Local Guide
Porto

Loved the 2 hour e- tuk tuk tour. Great way to get a feel for this beautiful city!

Quality of Experience
Porto is pretty lots of history/architecture
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and proud of their city/portugal
Transport
Into the Sea Caves of Lagos: Ponta da Piedade by Boat
Into the Sea Caves of Lagos: Ponta da Piedade by Boat
Portugal

You have to see it to believe how stunning it is! We took the boat (not kayaks) and jumped into the Atlantic from the boat :) so fun

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Uber to boat launch area to save time
Portugal - Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure
Portugal - Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure
Portugal

Hector did a great job putting together all kinds of tips and even some helpful Portuguese phrases :) and restaurant recommendations

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Nazaré & Óbidos
Private Transfer {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Nazaré & Óbidos
Portugal

Amazing experienced driver helped us maximize our time where we wanted to in Nazare. Great way to see more of Portugal on way out!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fantastic driver very kind, lots of interesting discussions along the way
Transport
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Oct 13, 2026
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! It was a pleasure helping you plan yourtrip to Portugal, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the accommodations, local cuisine, and beautiful scenery along the way.
I love hearing that Lagos and the Algarve were among your favorite spots, and that you had the chance to explore Porto and even venture into Seville! Thank you as well for sharing your recommendations with other... Read more

Hi Suzanne,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! It was a pleasure helping you plan yourtrip to Portugal, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the accommodations, local cuisine, and beautiful scenery along the way.

I love hearing that Lagos and the Algarve were among your favorite spots, and that you had the chance to explore Porto and even venture into Seville! Thank you as well for sharing your recommendations with other travelers.

It was a pleasure working with you, and I hope you’ll have the opportunity to return and discover even more of Portugal and Spain in the future!

Warm regards,
Hector

I will speak of the planning side - Hector
Portugal | Sep 12 - Sep 26, 2026

S
Sheri T.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2026

I will speak of the planning side - Hector was great in helping us plan a family trip. We told him the area's we wanted to visit in Portugal and he was able to elaborate and make our trip memorable. He was prompt in responding to questions in we had, making adjustments when needed, setting up tours and drivers. Unfortunately, due to a medical emergency half our party had to drop out, and he worked with me to get refunds and still make the other half a wonderful trip. Thank you Hector. Sheri Torres

Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 28, 2026
Hi Sherri, Thank you so much for your kind words, especially regarding the planning process. It was truly a pleasure working with you to plan this trip to Portugal. I’m so happy to hear that Kailey and William had a wonderful time and that they enjoyed all the destinations, activities, and accommodations along the way. It was such a shame that the two of you were ultimately unable to join this experience. I’m sure you’ll both have the opportunity to enjoy a trip like this very soon, and it... Read more

Hi Sherri,

Thank you so much for your kind words, especially regarding the planning process.

It was truly a pleasure working with you to plan this trip to Portugal. I’m so happy to hear that Kailey and William had a wonderful time and that they enjoyed all the destinations, activities, and accommodations along the way.

It was such a shame that the two of you were ultimately unable to join this experience. I’m sure you’ll both have the opportunity to enjoy a trip like this very soon, and it would be an absolute pleasure for me to help you plan it when the time comes.

Wishing you all the very best!
Héctor

Overall, the trip was great and Hector planne...
Portugal | Sep 13 - Sep 20, 2026

J
Judy M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2026
Overall, the trip was great and Hector planned it well. The guides were good, the country was beautiful and we were happy with the itinerary. Below is some feedback to help with future trips:
1. The driver to pick us up at the airport was not on time and not where he was expected to be. After a half-hour of waiting, I called Hector and he responded within 5 minutes, which was good. Hector reached the driver and redirected us to meet him at the Starbucks and the driver arrived there within a...
Read more

Overall, the trip was great and Hector planned it well. The guides were good, the country was beautiful and we were happy with the itinerary. Below is some feedback to help with future trips:
1. The driver to pick us up at the airport was not on time and not where he was expected to be. After a half-hour of waiting, I called Hector and he responded within 5 minutes, which was good. Hector reached the driver and redirected us to meet him at the Starbucks and the driver arrived there within a few minutes. In total, it delayed us about 45 minutes. More importantly, it made us nervous that we may have problems with other drivers or tour guides being late, but fortunately that didn't happen.
2. The food tour was good, but the guide talked way too much about every detail. However, it was fun with the other couples.
3. The other tour guides, particularly Carlotta and Simon, were very good and we enjoyed those tours very much. Alex was good, just a bit intense (he scolded me for taking pictures while he was talking} Otherwise, he did a good job.
4. There was some confusion as to when we were going to be picked up for the Sintra Tour, since it was scheduled for 8:00am and then changed in the app the day before to 9:30. I would suggest that when that happens, you send an email to confirm the time change, in addition to changing it in the app, because I almost didn't look at it again.
4. It messed up our schedule a little, when our Catamaran trip was moved from 10:00 to 3:30, which prevented us from doing the 7 Hanging Valley hike. We did the other hike instead, and it was good.
5. The emergency number provided didn't answer a few times when I called it.
I did appreciate that your staff's email responses were very good and generally quick, and that Hector didn't mind me calling him in the evening when I needed help. We also appreciated that there was flexibility from the driver regarding the time to pick us up to go from the Algarve to Lisbon. We really did enjoy the planning process and the trip and will recommend Kim Kim to friends. We would use your services again. Thank you for everything.

Hotel Reviews
Dorma Almada Porto
Porto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PortoBay Marquês
Lisbon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Costa D'Oiro Ambiance Village
8600-544

The hotel was fine, but it was a longer than preferred walk from our room to the restaurant and reception.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore Porto’s Hidden Gems with a Local Guide
Explore Porto’s Hidden Gems with a Local Guide
Porto
Exploring Sintra & Cascais:  Palaces, Cliffs & Coastline
Exploring Sintra & Cascais: Palaces, Cliffs & Coastline
Lisbon
Catamaran Boat to Benagil Cave & Carvoeiro Beach
Catamaran Boat to Benagil Cave & Carvoeiro Beach
Portugal
Portugal - Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure
Portugal - Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure
Portugal
Foodie Experience in Porto
Foodie Experience in Porto
Porto
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Get to Know Lisbon with a Local
Lisbon
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 23, 2026
Hi Judy, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and for sharing such detailed feedback. It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed Portugal, the itinerary, and your experiences along the way. We truly appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving and creating even better experiences for our travelers. I’m glad that you felt well supported throughout your trip and that the flexibility of the team helped when plans needed to... Read more

Hi Judy,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and for sharing such detailed feedback. It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed Portugal, the itinerary, and your experiences along the way.

We truly appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving and creating even better experiences for our travelers.

I’m glad that you felt well supported throughout your trip and that the flexibility of the team helped when plans needed to change. I’m also very happy to hear that you enjoyed your experiences with Carlotta and Simon.

Most importantly, that you enjoyed the trip, and thank you for trusting us with your journey. We hope to have the opportunity to plan another adventure for you in the future!

Warm regards,
Hector

Spectacular level of planning, flexibility and in-trip service! We had a fabulous time.
Spain | Aug 30 - Sep 5, 2026

T
Thomas B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 06, 2026
kimkim and Hector did a fantastic job organizing our trip to Barcelona and Madrid. My wife has some medical issues that made her extremely anxious about such a long (11 day) trip. So a big thanks to kimkim and their local partners for being so good about crafting schedules for trips, tours and meals that did not overwhelm our schedule. Your flexibility in trip planning, easily usable website, detailed instructions and, most importantly, your regular communications while were were on the... Read more

kimkim and Hector did a fantastic job organizing our trip to Barcelona and Madrid. My wife has some medical issues that made her extremely anxious about such a long (11 day) trip. So a big thanks to kimkim and their local partners for being so good about crafting schedules for trips, tours and meals that did not overwhelm our schedule. Your flexibility in trip planning, easily usable website, detailed instructions and, most importantly, your regular communications while were were on the trip were greatly appreciated. It all made my wife and able to relax and really enjoy such a beautiful country.

So many things to comment on
1. Ticketing for trains and site visits. These were all done clearly and correctly. It was great to have them all easily available on the kimkim app. And, when we decided to take an earlier train back from Toledo to Barcelona (temperatures neared 40 degrees C in the afternoon!), it was no problem because kimkim bought the tickets directly from the train system, not through a third party and Natalia worked it out with the station agent.

2. The hotels in Barcelona and Madrid were well chosen, given the price range and interests we identified on your app. Great locations and very welcoming staff. We spent the longest time at Hotel Meninas in Madrid, and would particularly recommend that anyone.

3. The Tapas & Tradition tours was so much fun. And delicious. We were part of a group seven, plus our guide Andres. Andres had chosen and prepared the 3+ restaurants well. So we enjoyed the tapas, drinks and learning about the traditions around this wonderful way of eating with friends. It helped a lot that everyone in the group was wonderful and fun to hang out with. What a great start to our first night in Madrid. Thank you Andres!

2. Walking tours of Madrid old town and Toledo. On separate days, two engaging and extremely knowledgeable guides really gave us a sense of the history, beauty and life in these two very different cities. Because it was a private tour (just me and my wife), Geza (Madrid) and Natalia (Toledo) made sure to build in plenty of stops along the tour so my wife could rest her legs and still enjoy the trip. I think both of them know the location of every bench along the tour route! That would not have been possible if we were in a larger tour group that we would have had to keep up with.

Thank you Geza and Natalia!

And it was funny to run into Geza leading a larger group two days later near our hotel! And a special thanks to Natalia for thinking to thoroughly explain El Greco's painting The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, initially using a picture on her phone, while my wife could remain seated at the back of the room and then later go up to look at it closely. Very thoughtful guide work.

Hotel Reviews
H10 Art Gallery
Barcelona

Beautiful artwork in a modern setting. Love the patio area out the back of the lobby and the included breakfast. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. Great location in central Barcelona.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Nice neighborhood to walk around in. Easy cab ride to El Sagrada Familia, Gothic Quarter, the beach and all the other sites. I like the pool and exercise room as well.
Staff
Super friendly and helpful with anything we asked for like taxi arrangements, dinner recommendations, etc.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very modern feel, but also welcoming and comfortable.
Hotel Meninas
Madrid
Authenticity & Character
The hotel and street seemed very much a part of and older area of Madrid, which we liked very much. We felt very much in the middle of the city, but on a quiet street.
Location
Easy walk to the Royal Palace, Plaza Major and the Opera. Interesting neighborhood to walk around. As it was on a small, narrow street, but super easy to get to the places we wanted to visit.
Staff
Oh, the staff here were so nice, helpful and welcoming. And no-one laughed at my poor attempts at Spanish (just kidding, they would never do that). We felt very much at home here.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very well designed and maintained. The lobby was comfortable to hang out in. And the breakfast on floor -1 was delicious.
Activity Reviews
Tapas & Tradition: A Madrileño Evening
Tapas & Tradition: A Madrileño Evening
Madrid

I shared to details of this on the first page of this review. Andres, the restaurants and the whole group were great.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
As I said in the first page of the review, Andres was a perfect person to learn from and share tapas with.
Transport
We took a taxi to the meeting point
Walking Madrid’s Old Town
Walking Madrid’s Old Town
Madrid

I didn't know these individual pages were coming, so I put my details on the first page. Geza was fantastic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
An Excursion to Toledo by Train, Guided Walk
An Excursion to Toledo by Train, Guided Walk
Madrid

Natalia was the best! I gave details earlier, but we really did learn a lot and enjoyed her company around this amazing city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Spain Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure
Spain Important Trip Information: Please Review Before Departure
Spain

As we noted earlier, the H10 Art Gallery was a great choice. We loved the amenities, patio, art, lobby, but especially the helpful staff.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We arranged for a private care to the airport and that worked out seamlessly.
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 07, 2026
Hi Thomas,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to the entire team and to me.
It was a pleasure helping you and your wife plan your trip to Spain, and I’m especially happy to hear that the pacing, flexibility, and personal attention helped you both relax and fully enjoy the experience. I’m also glad that everything came together smoothly, from the hotels and train tickets to the tours. I’ll be sure to share your kind words with... Read more

Hi Thomas,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to the entire team and to me.

It was a pleasure helping you and your wife plan your trip to Spain, and I’m especially happy to hear that the pacing, flexibility, and personal attention helped you both relax and fully enjoy the experience.

I’m also glad that everything came together smoothly, from the hotels and train tickets to the tours. I’ll be sure to share your kind words with Andrés, Geza, and Natalia—they will be delighted to hear how much you enjoyed their work.

Thank you again for trusting me with your trip. It was a pleasure having you in Spain, and I hope you take home many wonderful memories!

Warm regards,
Hector

Price gouging
Spain | Aug 3 - Aug 21, 2026

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MARY L.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 02, 2026
This trip was difficult to plan from the beginning. It was for 2 people with different arrival and departure dates. Also, 2 nights of accommodation were already booked. Hector never seemed to get exactly when who was going to be there. I said my son was going to be there on the 6th and he booked a room for him on the night of the 5th. Many of the days had shopping as the main activity. I had said we were interested in nature and culture. The hike that was booked for us turned out to be a... Read more

This trip was difficult to plan from the beginning. It was for 2 people with different arrival and departure dates. Also, 2 nights of accommodation were already booked. Hector never seemed to get exactly when who was going to be there. I said my son was going to be there on the 6th and he booked a room for him on the night of the 5th. Many of the days had shopping as the main activity. I had said we were interested in nature and culture. The hike that was booked for us turned out to be a 4x4 ride which was disappointing. I was in Madrid and the Prado was not scheduled as a tour until I asked for it to be added on. I believed Hector when he said that the last minute nature of the booking made the expensive but when we looked at daily room rates when we were there, they were not high. I think we were overcharged by about 50% and want a refund of at least $5000.

Activity Reviews
Walking Madrid’s Old Town
Walking Madrid’s Old Town
Madrid

Great tour

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
4x4 Jeep & Hike the Cares Route, Picos de Europa
4x4 Jeep & Hike the Cares Route, Picos de Europa
Picos de Europa

This was a 4x4 without a hike.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 03, 2026
Hi Mary, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Due to it being a last-minute booking for August, your trip was a particularly challenging itinerary to plan, given the short timeframe. Despite this, your trip developed as planned with no incidents, and we did our best to accommodate any additional changes and requests, such as adding a private guided visit of El Prado Museum (requested during your trip). The shopping recommendations, these were included in your travel... Read more

Hi Mary,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Due to it being a last-minute booking for August, your trip was a particularly challenging itinerary to plan, given the short timeframe.

Despite this, your trip developed as planned with no incidents, and we did our best to accommodate any additional changes and requests, such as adding a private guided visit of El Prado Museum (requested during your trip).

The shopping recommendations, these were included in your travel documents as optional suggestions, along with recommendations for historical sites, places of interest, and restaurants. They were provided as additional information to help you make the most of your time, rather than as scheduled activities.

Regarding the extra night of accommodation for your son, a refund for that night has already been processed.

As for the 4x4 and hiking experience, our local guides tailor each tour to the interests and preferences of each traveler and may adjust the itinerary during the experience based on the group’s pace and physical condition, ensuring everyone can enjoy the day comfortably. After more than an hour of hiking, your guide adapted the tour and shorten the hiking portion, while extending the 4x4 experience so you could explore more of the Picos de Europa in a comfortable and enjoyable way.

With that being said, I truly appreciate your feedback, and I hope that, overall, you were able to enjoy your time in Spain.

Best regards,
Hector

Mixed feelings
Spain | Aug 6 - Aug 20, 2026

Cathleen
Cathleen C.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Aug 27, 2026
Overall, we were pleased with our accommodations and the experiences that Hector planned. The Iberostar resort was perfect for our family, and my cousin and I loved our windmills tour with our wonderful guide Birgit. Most of the family also enjoyed the catamaran trip and swimming. The Gran Hotel Havana in Barcelona also suited us well, and we loved our tour guide for Girona (Manuel and his driver Wandr) so much that we lobbied to have them for our second tour (of Montserrat) which was... Read more

Overall, we were pleased with our accommodations and the experiences that Hector planned. The Iberostar resort was perfect for our family, and my cousin and I loved our windmills tour with our wonderful guide Birgit. Most of the family also enjoyed the catamaran trip and swimming. The Gran Hotel Havana in Barcelona also suited us well, and we loved our tour guide for Girona (Manuel and his driver Wandr) so much that we lobbied to have them for our second tour (of Montserrat) which was amazing. We also loved the sunset boat trip with the guitarist.

One of the two reasons we did not give 5 stars is because our original flight from Mallorca to Barcelona was scheduled without our agreement to leave at 8:30 in the morning which would have been extremely difficult with three small children. When we requested to move the reservation, we received a lot of pushback and almost tried to make arrangements ourselves (since we received no credit for the original reservation). When we did finally get rescheduled at considerable expense, we learned at the airport that my son would be on standby and his 1-year-old son who is a lap child, had a confirmed seat. It took a great deal of effort to get my son on the flight with no help from Espiritu who blamed the airlines and did nothing to help despite having been responsible for the reservation. I don't believe that the fact that we were with three small children was adequately considered.

The second reason is that we did not receive much help in figuring out where to go to watch the eclipse. Most of the suggestions we received were not helpful because the government was closing many of the streets in Mallorca for security reasons, and they were therefore inaccessible. My daughter did a lot of research online to learn this and did find for us the best place possible given where we were staying, but we would have had a difficult time and probably missed it entirely if we had relied on the information we were given.

Hotel Reviews
Iberostar selection Playa de Muro Village
Playa de Muro, Mallorca, Illes Balears

The rooms were clean and comfortable mostly (one had a problem, but the staff moved those of us in that room to a better one). The pools and private beach were perfect and greatly enjoyed, and the breakfast buffet (and other food options) were all amazing. The staff were all helpful and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Gran Hotel Havana
Barcelona

The rooms were very comfortable and attractive and quiet. Most of the staff were helpful and polite. It was good to have room service and the rooftop restaurant available when we did not want to go out, and the included breakfast buffet had lots of good choices.

Activity Reviews
Mediterranean Sunset Sailing Experience & Live Spanish Guitar Music
Mediterranean Sunset Sailing Experience & Live Spanish Guitar Music
Barcelona

We loved the guitar, and the route was very calm so no one became seasick.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
One of us has balance problems and the captain and staff were very helpful in getting on and off the boat.
Transport
It was a beautiful catamaran sailboat. The only thing that would have been better would have been if it actually sailed instead of motoring the whole way, but that did not impair the experience.
From Medieval Girona to the Villages of Costa Brava
From Medieval Girona to the Villages of Costa Brava
Barcelona

Our guide Manuel made this a very enjoyable and memorable experience. And some of our group said that the beach where he took us after Girona was the best one they had ever been to.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Manuel was knowledgeable, warm talkative, fun and great with the chidren.
Transport
The vans were very comfortable.
Discover Montserrat & Catalan Wine of Penedès Region
Discover Montserrat & Catalan Wine of Penedès Region
Barcelona

Again, our guide Manuel made it extra special. It is also a beautiful and spiritual place. Some of us are not religious but were deeply moved nonetheless.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Windmills & Villages: A Journey Through Mallorca’s Interior
Windmills & Villages: A Journey Through Mallorca’s Interior
Spain

Birgit was so knowledgeable and warm. My cousin and I really enjoyed learning about the history, traditions and current day people of Mallorca from her. She was great!

Quality of Experience
our guide Birgit
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Birgit was outstanding and made the whole experience one I will not forget.
Transport
We were grateful that since only two of us went, Birgit picked us up at our hotel.
Mallorca by Sea: A Boutique Sailing, Tapas & Snorkeling Experience
Mallorca by Sea: A Boutique Sailing, Tapas & Snorkeling Experience
Spain

The swimming in the Mediterranean was wonderful. The only problem was that two of our group got seasick.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Barcelona for Kids: Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia & Park Güell
Barcelona for Kids: Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia & Park Güell
Barcelona

The Sagrada Familia on the inside just blew me away; I did not expect to be so moved and impressed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She could have been more enthusiastic and warm.
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 01, 2026
Hello Cathleen, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. I’m very glad to hear that you enjoyed the accommodations and that so many of the experiences were highlights of your family trip. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Birgit, Manuel, and Wandr. Regarding the flight to Barcelona, I understand that the early departure was not ideal when traveling with young children. Our team provided the available options to change the flight several days in advance, but... Read more

Hello Cathleen,

Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. I’m very glad to hear that you enjoyed the accommodations and that so many of the experiences were highlights of your family trip. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Birgit, Manuel, and Wandr.

Regarding the flight to Barcelona, I understand that the early departure was not ideal when traveling with young children. Our team provided the available options to change the flight several days in advance, but the decision to make the change was ultimately made the day before departure. At that point, the airline’s availability was very limited, which unfortunately led to the additional complications at the airport. While I understand the frustration, the standby situation was ultimately an airline decision and, fortunately, everyone was able to travel as planned.

Regarding the eclipse, we did provide recommendations and information ahead of time. Unfortunately, the extensive road and security restrictions in Mallorca made access to several locations much more difficult than expected on the day itself.

It was a pleasure helping you plan your family vacation, and I’m very happy to know that you enjoyed so much of your time in Spain. Thank you again for your feedback, and I wish you and your family all the best.

Warm regards,
Héctor

Poor logistics, great day trips
Spain | Aug 6 - Aug 20, 2026

S
Samy A.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Aug 23, 2026

In numerous ways, the logistics and planning for this trip were poor. From considering travel times for our family with young children, to fiascos with booking almost causing us to miss our flight, it did not feel like a smooth trip.

The day trips planned for us were excellent though. The hotels were great too.

Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 01, 2026
Hello Samy, Thank you for taking the time to write your trip review. I’m especially glad to hear that you found the hotels and activities throughout your trip to be excellent. I plan all trips taking into consideration all travelers, and we also send your travel documents with enough time before you travel in case you want to make any changes to the trip so we can accommodate your preferences. Regarding your comment about the flight, it was unfortunate that the airline overbooked your... Read more

Hello Samy,

Thank you for taking the time to write your trip review. I’m especially glad to hear that you found the hotels and activities throughout your trip to be excellent.

I plan all trips taking into consideration all travelers, and we also send your travel documents with enough time before you travel in case you want to make any changes to the trip so we can accommodate your preferences.

Regarding your comment about the flight, it was unfortunate that the airline overbooked your flight. The moment this was brought to our attention, our support team did everything they could to assist you and provided you with all the available options.

I totally understand that having to deal with an overbooking when traveling with kids is stressful, and we were happy to hear that the airline could finally accommodate all of you on the booked flight and reach Barcelona without any issues.

It was a pleasure helping you plan your family vacation, and I hope all the family left Spain with wonderful memories despite the incident with your flight to Barcelona.

Thank you again for your feedback, and I wish you and your family all the best.
Warm regards,
Héctor

The only reason I'm giving this two stars is ...
Spain | Aug 5 - Aug 16, 2026

Claudia
Claudia d.
San Leandro, CA | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2026
The only reason I'm giving this two stars is because our pickup and transfers were without issue and the hotel properties were fine. The trip was amazing, but no thanks to Kim Kim or the local provider. It was amazing because we spent every evening researching and figuring out what we were going to do the next day. The provider knew we had a rental car but made no provisions to check with every one of our hotels to make sure that they had parking. When we asked them to do that, they checked... Read more

The only reason I'm giving this two stars is because our pickup and transfers were without issue and the hotel properties were fine. The trip was amazing, but no thanks to Kim Kim or the local provider. It was amazing because we spent every evening researching and figuring out what we were going to do the next day. The provider knew we had a rental car but made no provisions to check with every one of our hotels to make sure that they had parking. When we asked them to do that, they checked the hotel for the following evening, and we never heard about that again. We had one day in Zaragoza, which was actually the day most of the locations we wanted to visit were closed, so it would have been nice to have a heads up on that. We landed in Bilbao during a national holiday. Also would have been nice to know about that. We also arrived in San Sebastian during the City Festival. Didn't know about that either.
On one of our wine tasting trips, we were supposed to get transfers to and from. Two days before, the wine trip the company informed us that we were too far away and they couldn't pick us up.
We eventually reached out to Kimkim itself to report some of the issues. We didn't get back anything that was helpful at all and never heard from them again.
Kim Kim has booked a number of trips for us that have all been essentially flawless. This was not one of those trips.

Activity Review
A Basque Country Excursion:  Jaizkibel Hike, Txakoli Winery & Hondarribia
A Basque Country Excursion: Jaizkibel Hike, Txakoli Winery & Hondarribia
San Sebastián

Jaime was amazing sharing with us the local culture and the amazing Basque region.

Quality of Experience
Jaime
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jaime
Transport
Jaime
Local specialist: Hector Molina
Hector
Hector Molina
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Sep 01, 2026
Hello Claudia, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the transfers, hotels, and activities throughout your trip. I understand your comments regarding having to research and figure out what you would be doing each day. At the same time, your travel documents included detailed information to help you make the most of your free time, as well as comprehensive directions and information for traveling from one destination to the next. Our goal was... Read more

Hello Claudia,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the transfers, hotels, and activities throughout your trip.

I understand your comments regarding having to research and figure out what you would be doing each day. At the same time, your travel documents included detailed information to help you make the most of your free time, as well as comprehensive directions and information for traveling from one destination to the next. Our goal was to give you the flexibility to enjoy your free time at your own pace while still having all the information you needed readily available.

Regarding parking at the hotels, I take note of your comment about having information about where to park at the hotel. I agree that it would be useful to have this information in advance, and we will incorporate it for future travelers.

As for the public holidays and closures, August is an especially popular time for celebrations and local holidays in Spain, which can mean that some places and attractions have adjusted schedules or are closed on certain days. I took these circumstances into consideration and adapted the itinerary as carefully as possible around the dates that were available for your trip.

We take note of this comment to incorporate information about any holiday during the trip.

Finally, regarding the wine experience, unfortunately we were also notified at the very last minute about the change in the pick-up location and we tried to accommodate this change so it would affect you as little as possible by arranging an additional taxi to the new meeting point at no extra cost.

I understand and value your comments regarding the aspects of the trip that could have been improved.

Wishing you all the best,
Héctor