Castles · Tour

Private El Escorial and the Valley with a Separate Chauffeur and Guide

Most private day trips out of Madrid put one person behind the wheel and give them a microphone. This one splits the job: a private chauffeur drives, and the guide does nothing but guide. The practical effect shows up on the road. A guide who is not driving can turn round and talk, take a question in traffic, and use the hour out of the city rather than concentrating on the motorway. The day starts with a panoramic drive through Madrid on the way to the first stop. El Escorial, also called the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo el Real, was built in the 16th century by Philip II and now holds a major collection of European art. The guided visit takes in the Pantheon of the Kings and the Basilica. The Valley of the Fallen is close by, and it was built as a monument to the dead of the Spanish Civil War. There is one honest caveat in the itinerary: whether the day includes a pass by the Retiro Park depends on where your hotel is. If it is not on the way, it is not seen. Pickup and drop-off are at your accommodation.