Depart Madrid by coach and drive to the former royal residence and monastery of El Escorial, considered by many to be the 8th Wonder of the World. Conceived by Philip II, the vast palace became a symbol of the greatness of the Spanish Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries. Upon arrival at the complex, located in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, enjoy a tour of the Royal Palace to see Philip II’s somber rooms. Continue to the Pantheon of the Kings, where 26 marble sepulchers contain the remains of Spanish monarchs. In the Pantheon of the Princes, completed in 1888, you will find the last resting place of princes, princesses, and royal consorts. The central Basilica was designed in a Gothic style like many European cathedrals, while the Hall of Battles contains frescoes of Spanish military victories. Learn how El Escorial came about at the Architectural Museum. Continue to the Valley of the Fallen, about 6 miles (9 kilometers) north of El Escorial. Built in the mountainside by General Franco to commemorate those who perished in the Spanish Civil War, the 500-foot (150-meter) cross built of granite commands the natural landscape. Your tour includes a visit of the austere interior, with stunning views from the esplanade of arches.