During this tour we will have the opportunity of discovering two important historical sites of the country, El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen. El Escorial is granted by UNESCO as a World Heritage of the Mandkind, being the maximal representation of the splendour of the Spanish Empire. The Valley of the Fallen is a very controversial site in Spain because "theorically" it was constructed during the dictatorship as a symbol of reconciliation, having hosted Franco's tomb for decades.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
At the reception of the hotel
We will meet up at the reception of the hotel
After having picked the clients up at the hotel, we will drive for about 45-60 mins. to the Valley of the Fallen.
The Valley of the Fallen is the most controversial historical site of Spain due to all the polemic behind its construction, dozens of workers died during its construction, most of them republican prisoners.
Franco conducted its construction personally, as a legacy to his mandate, on one hand becoming a symbol to his followers and on the other hand being considered for millions of Spanish as a national shame that never should have been built.
El Escorial is a complex of buildings that was constructed in the XVI century to host the Royal Pantheon and to commemorate a victory of the Spanish Army in France.
It hosts the Royal Chapel with its incredible frescoes painted by Lucas Cambiasso and Lucas Giordano, the Cenotaphs of the kings Charles I and Phillip II and the wonderful Christ carved out by Cellini.
The monastery contains an incredible collection of artists like Velazquez, El Greco, Tizian and many others.
The Library is considered the best of the European Renaissance after the one in the Vatican, hosting the incredible frescoes of Tibaldi, apart from the outstanding collection of books, manuscripts, etc.
We will drop you off at the hotel or at any other point of Madrid.
At the hotel or any other point in Madrid
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
-It includes the renting of the driver and a Mercedes car or minivan or equivalent.
-The tour will be guided with modern audioguides equipment.
-The tour does not include the price of the tickets, 20 € for both buildings.
-The tour does not include any personal expenses, snacks, food, beverage and souvenirs.
This tour is not recommended it to those ones with any kind of physical dissability due to the steps of the Escorial.
Remember that it is compulsory to be a qualified local guide entitled by the regional authorities to guide in the interior of the historical sites.
Due to the interference of guides not qualified, bear in mind this note before deciding to book a tour with a guide.
We passed very tough exams to provide a recognizable service of quality to the clients.
¡Hola!
My name is Héctor, I am a quailified guide of the region of Madrid and other Spanish regions after having passed the exams to guide in Spanish, English, French and Italian.
I have been working as a guide since 2001, I worked in several Spanish regions as a local guide in different languages, apart from having worked all over Europe and in some southern African countries.
My main passion is travelling, I spent more than 13 years living, working and travelling in around 70 countries of the 5 continents. This travel experience helps me so much to understand the idiosincrasy, culture and needs of the clients while visiting my country.
CREDENTIALS AND ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
-Official Guiding Licence of the region of Andalucia: number 1747
-Official Guiding Licence of the region of Madrid: 821
-Official Guiding Licence of the region of Catalonia: 28925
--Spanish National Trust, Cathedral of Toledo.
-Certificate of the Spanish Jewish Quarters Association: Jewish Culture
Attention: in Spain is compulsory to be a professional licenced guide to explain the interiors of the historical sites.
If you had any specific preference for any particular tour, or any especial requirement that is not included on the tours that I offered, plese do not hesitate to let me know.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon and discovering together the greatness of my country!!!
$725/ per group
Reserve