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! "
Featured trips & expertise
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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Sep 6 - Sep 29, 2022
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
Excellent trip with Kim Kim Travel
Spain
|
Sep 6 - Sep 29, 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
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
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Dec 30 - Jan 10, 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
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
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May 8 - May 24, 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 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
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May 5 - May 16, 2022
The tours, guides, chefs and places were beyond amazing!
Muito obrigado!
As mentioned in a text earlier, all the guide...
Portugal
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May 5 - May 16, 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
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
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Mar 11 - Mar 18, 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
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
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Dec 27 - Jan 5, 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
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
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Oct 19 - Oct 27, 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!
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
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Oct 16 - Oct 31, 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
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
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Jul 6 - Jul 19, 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!
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
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Jun 18 - Jun 30, 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
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
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Jul 3 - Jul 10, 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
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
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Dec 25 - Jan 4, 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
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
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Oct 16 - Nov 1, 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
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
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Sep 16 - Oct 4, 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!
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
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Sep 19 - Oct 2, 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
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
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Sep 12 - Sep 26, 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
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
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Jun 14 - Jun 22, 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
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