The monastery is located 50 kilometres away northwest of Madrid, in the Guadarrama mountain range. The small town of El Escorial has been born overshadowed by the monastery, one of the most traditional touristic centres of Madrid. Chosen as World Heritage by UNESCO, it was built during King Phillip’s II reign, to house the mortal remains of his father Emperor Charles V and his descendants, and is still maintained as Royal Pantheon. It was built in the XVIth Century

This valley is located 10 minutes away from El Escorial. It is a huge monument in memorial to the dead (caídos) during the Spanish Civil War, and was erected by General Franco during the forties. The site consists of a basilica, a monastery and a hospedería (hostelry), presided by a vast cross 150 metres tall built on the edge of a cliff. Facing the High Altar, lay the graves of General Franco and José Antonio Primo de Rivera.

It is located 50 kilometres away from Madrid. It was built during the reign of the Catholic Kings and since then, it is a symbol of the Spanish crown. The site includes the Royal Palace (former royal residence), the Casa del Labrador (house used as shooting box), Museo de Falúas (museum of a special type of boat) and beautiful gardens with sculptures, built during the reign of the Bourbons in the XVIIIth Century.

We will visit the current building of the University, which has an outstanding plateresque façade. In its interior, it has beautiful courtyards, amongst them the famous Patio Trilingüe (Trilingual Courtyard), where classes were given in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. From the Plaza de Cervantes, we walk along the Calle Mayor, which used to be the Jewish quarter of the town, until we get to the Casa de Cervantes, where we can look at several pictures thought for El Quixote. Later we will visit the Iglesia Magistral de los Santos Justo y Pastor (Church), considered as a cathedral, and the Convento de las Hermanas Bernardas, interesting convent example of the Spanish barroque style.

70 kilometres away from Madrid, another of Spain’s cities considered as World heritage, the historic city of Toledo. The whole rout will be done by foot, enjoying this beautiful medieval city, old capital of Spain, which even today holds the quarters of the Cardinal Primate and where the painter El Greco lived for most of his life. During this visit we will learn more about this amazing painter El Greco and his art work.

It is located 90 kilometres away from Madrid, just across the Guadarrama mountain range. It is well-known because of its Roman aqueduct, one of the world’s most perfect Roman engineering works, and also due of its typical gastronomy: grilled lamb and piglet. During the walking tour in Segovia we will see the Cathedral and the Alcazar one of Spains most typical castles.

Located 113 kilometres away from Madrid and across the Guadarrama mountain chain, it is one of the most outstanding examples of Spain’s medieval cities. It is also famous because it is the birthplace of Saint Theresa of Jesus. On our walking tour in Avila we will admire the stunning city walls best kept in Europe, and the cathedral as the most significant monuments among other convents and palaces visited under the tour.

The city of the river Tormes, nowadays city of the National Heritage. In this city lies the oldest university of Spain and its Plaza Mayor is said to be one of the most harmonious in Spain. Unique are its two cathedrals, of gothic and romanic style, built next to each other. Before departure, remember there is a mystery to be solved: where is the frog of the most famous plateresque façade of Spain.

Located on the foothills of the Iberian mountain on a picturesque site between the gorges of the rivers Jucar and Huecar sits Cuenca, a beautiful medieval city which became worldly known during the sixties due to an initiative from the vanguard artists to create the famous Museum of Abstract Art. The Hanging houses (Casas Colgantes) over the Gorge of the Huecar is a unique view only from this city. Their beautiful wooden structure hangs over the gorge defying the force of gravity. A walking tour inside the city are of course included in the tour.

This palace, located 10 minutes away from Segovia, is a versallesque landmark in Castile. It was built under Philip V and his second wife Isabel de Farnesio reign, during the XVIIIth Century. Apart from the royal chambers that hold an important collection of tapestry, its gardens and fountains with classic mythology sculptures are famous.