"Austere El Escorial" El Escorial by Kettleman

Built between 1563 and 1584 for Felope II, this great granite monastery was built in austere fashion for a monarch that had little time for the fanciful and comfrtable.

It is said he built it as his trops accidentally destroyed a church to San Lorenzo and this is his penance.

The gardens are very formal and not very attractive to be brutally honest.

• Pros:beautiful if austere architecture, tombs of many Spanish royalty
• Cons:cold in winter or autumn