Private tour in Madrid Paul O

El Escorial Monastery, Spain - Full Day Tour

3.7

(3) reviews

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Paul O.

4.9

Guide rating

78

Reviews

Tours delivered

2 hrs

Avg. response time

Hello! Let me briefly introduce myself. I'm half British and half Spaniard, fully bilingual in English and Spanish. I also speak good French. Traveling has always been my passion since I was a little kid, as my father worked for an American company, and I had the chance to travel to several countries. I've primarily lived in Spain, but also in France (Paris, the UK, and the US). I can speak English with both British and American accents. I had my first trip as a tour guide when I was 15, as my American family came to Spain, and I went with them to Madrid's old town, Segovia, Toledo, and El Escorial. I discovered I liked it a lot. I have been organizing private tours since then. I have a degree in Music (piano and musical language) and Geology. This latter allowed me to explain many facts about the landscape and even several historical facts about old towns like Toledo, Segovia, and Madrid. Geology is, surprisingly, pretty important to establish a settlement. Among other things I've done during my professional career, I had two restaurants and two small wineries, so food and wine have no secrets for me. I can humbly say I'm a good chef. I have been teaching how to cook Spanish cuisine to many people throughout my life, many of them foreigners. Wine production is an art, and I have been collaborating with several enologists to obtain high-quality wines. With this experience I would be able to teach you how to prepare genuine Spanish food, not to mention organizing visits to wineries and get a good understanding about how to produce good wines and how to taste them. Personalized tours are my best approach to obtaining a unique experience for tourists. Just in Madrid, there are a lot of unknown places, full of history and even anecdotes, that most people don't know, and will give you the best understanding of Spanish history and culture. Many other places around Madrid remain unknown to visitors, like the seven Romanic churches of Guadalajara (dated from the XII century), the "magical" and mystic canyon of Duratón river in Segovia, with vultures flying over the Templar hermitage built in the plateau over the river, the castles and fortresses that "El Cid Campeador" held in his exile from Castille to Valencia in the XI century, and many others. I'll be glad to offer you any possible personalized tour, in addition to the pre-built tours you'll see displayed here. Traveling is one of the best things we can do in this life, and having a local guide will help you to squeeze every little drop of your experience and make your trip unforgettable. Hope to see you soon! Degree in Geology from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 1981 Degree in Piano and Musical language from the Royal Conservatory of Music of Madrid (1982) None

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Paul O.

Overview of your Madrid tour

The Royal Monastery of El Escorial is the biggest in the world. it's the most representative building of the Spanish Renaissance and a symbol of the power of King Philip II. Built between 1563 and 1584, it holds many treasures: - The Basilic. It's the core of the complex. Its reliquary is the biggest in Chistianhood. - The Biblioteque. It holds many ancient books, many of them hand-written. The decoration is portentous. - The Palace of the Habsburgs. Designed for King Philip II, it reflects his austerity. From one of its rooms, there's a balcony facing the altar of the Basilic. - The Palace of the Bourbons. King Charles III remodelled part of the private rooms to the XVIII century style. - The Convent. It occupies the third southern part of the complex. - Salas Capitulares. Nowadays is a painting museum. - The Pantheon. Most Spanish Monarchs since the XVI century lie in this gorgeous pantheon.

Recent Reviews

Kevin W.United States
October 2023

Paul is a terrific and knowledgable guide who took our ambitious agenda and turned it into a terrific tour! In our particular case, Paul was able to offer not only historical insights into El Escorial and Segovia, but also entertaining anecdotes that helped provide a context for the spots we visited. We highly recommend Paul if you are coming to visit Madrid and the surrounding area.

Timothy S.United States
October 2023

This was a wonderful and detailed tour. Paul was very knowledgeable and friendly.

Your Madrid tour itinerary

I will pick you up at an agreed meeting point in Madrid and drive you in a rented vehicle until we arrive in San Lorenzo de El Escorial and start our tour. 1. - Visit the Monastery and its dependencies: Basilic, Bibliotheque, Cloister, Palace, etc. 2. - Go by car to the "Silla de Felipe II". It's a place on the other side of the valley. The King ordered the sculpting of two seats in the granitic rock to see the evolution of the construction of the Monastery. The views are splendid. 3. - Return to El Escorial and have a walk along the old town. As an option, I would suggest tasting a genuine hot chocolate with "picatostes" (fried bread), absolutely delicious! We'll return by car to your hotel in Madrid. This itinerary is customizable.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Sedan

We'll depart from Madrid to San Lorenzo de El Escorial in a rental car. Once in El Escorial, there's no need to use any transport, just walking.

What's included
Other: Highway toll, parking lot in El Escorial
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: The tour would start from the tourist hotel at no extra cost, depending on the location of the hotel.

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Religious Sites
History
Day Trip
Tour reference number
1194323
Languages
Spanish
English
French
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

3.7

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Madrid best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for travellers who want to explore the historical and architectural marvels of El Escorial Monastery, the largest monastery in the world. It's ideal for those interested in Spanish Renaissance architecture and the history of King Philip II. The tour is also kid-friendly, making it suitable for families.

Can this private tour in Madrid be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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