El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen, Toledo

Marvel at the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. See the Hapsburgâs Palace, the Kingâs Mausoleum and the Basilica. Visit the Valley of the Fallen, with its underground basilica and impressive 152-meter cross that dominates the landscape of the Madrid mountains. Dive into a fascinating mix of cultures in Toledo. Walk through the Old Town part of the city following your guide and see the famous painting by el Greco, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Did you know Toledo was once Spainâs capital?
Check in at our office in central Madrid 15 minutes in advance of your tour. Leave the city aboard one of our comfortable air-conditioned coaches.
Enjoy a guided tour through the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Built in the 15th century, it is a symbol of the power of the government at the time. See the impressive Royal Mausoleum and the story behind the 21 years it took to build the site. Of Renaissance style, you will marvel at the building symmetry. Listen to your guide explanations as you walk along the site visiting the Habsburgâs Palace, the Chapter House or the Basilica and
the remarkable library. Get back on the bus for a short trip to the next destination, the Valley of the Fallen. The site is located 9km away from El Escorial, in Sierra de Guadarrama. You will be able to see it from far away thanks to the monumental cross, built above the site. The monument is an underground church built into the mountain. The same is topped by the Worldâs Largest Cross, which can be seen from miles away.
Check in again at our office in central Madrid 15 minutes in advance of your tour. Leave the city towards Toledo aboard one of our comfortable air-conditioned coaches. Relax and enjoy the scenery on the way to the city. Take a guided walking tour of the Historic City of Toledo, World Heritage City since 1986. Once Spainâs capital, it is a perfect mix of Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures.
Learn about its fantastic heritage and see how the coexistence of cultures through the centuries influenced its current architectural style. Admire the building sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs to serve as a royal mausoleum, their most important construction, the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.
Stroll through Toledos cobbled streets until you reach the Cathedral. Built on the ruins of an ancient Arab mosque, it was constructed during the 13th century and is now one of Spains most important Gothic cathedrals. Admire the details of its façade and the large bell tower before going inside. Visit the interior and sacristy, which is full of works of art, including fifteen paintings by El Greco.
Then, you will have free time to explore Toledo on your own before returning to Madrid.