"The Alchemist" is an allegory of a young shepherd named Santiago who leaves his homeland to follow his personal legend (or calling) and go in search of his treasure, an idea that initially comes to him in a dream.
This journey takes him from the countryside of Andalusia, to the southernmost part of Spain in the city of Tarifa, across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco, and through the Sahara Desert to Faiyum. The Pyramids of Egypt are his ultimate destination goal.
First published in 1988, "The Alchemist" has sold more than 65 million copies worldwide and has been written in 80 different languages, becoming the most translated book of any living author-in this case, Paulo Coelho.
For more than 25 years, the book and its author have inspired so many around the world, and the phenomenon continues to grow, as more are introduced to young Santiago's story. In a recent two-episode Super Soul Sunday interview, Oprah Winfrey told Coelho that a number of celebrities-Madonna, Will Smith, Julia Roberts and Pharrell, included-have had life-changing experiences because of "The Alchemist."
Santiago's story begins somewhere in the southern autonomous community of Andalusia, which includes the provinces of Almeria, Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaen, Malaga and Seville. We learn that he is from a town with a castle that sits at the top of a hill and that his father wanted him to become a priest-Santiago's dream is to travel. With his herd of sheep, he wanders the vast countryside of Andalusia, until the day he has his dream, meets a King and sets off on his adventure.
With well over 200 castles in Andalusia, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact location where Santiago's journey began. The region has such history, ancient beauty, and breathtaking landscapes, any spot in Southern Spain would be a good place to start.
Andalusia Region, Spain
For many, Andalusia is the heart of Spain's nationality. Much of the architectural elements associated with the country, in addition to flamenco dancing and bullfighting, originated in the region.
PHOTO: Traditional flamenco dancing. All photos by Brandi Andres.
The capital city, Seville, is the fourth largest city in Spain and is honored as a World Heritage destination with three UNESCO Sites located in Old Town: the Royal Alcazar palace, the Cathedral, and the General Archive of the Indies library.
Dating back to the 12th century, during the Almohad Dynasty's reign over Moorish Iberia, the Royal Alcazar of Seville is a mishmash of cultural styles that have been updated through the ages. Arabic influences are highly visible today, as are Baroque additions made in the late 17th century, and Renaissance restorations made after an earthquake hit Seville in 1755.
[BLURB] Fans of the HBO show, "Game of Thrones" will be interested to know that scenes of the 2015 season have been shot at the Royal Alcazar.[/BLURB]
Those fascinated by the history of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas may want to stop in at the General Archive of the Indies library, where more than 80 million pages of documents on the expedition across the Atlantic are kept. Columbus' journal, his letters to Spain and maps are all here, as are the drawings and letters of Hernan Cortes. Many of the archives are kept away from the public, but the library is free to visitors interested in browsing around.
Speaking of Columbus, the city of Cordoba, once the capital of Roman Hispania, is where King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I offered their blessings and ships (the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria) to a young man whose "personal legend" was to discover America. This interaction took place at the Alcazar of Cordoba, a medieval castle that the Catholic Monarchs used as the headquarters for the Spanish Inquisition.
Another majestic reminder of Spain's history can be witnessed in the Moorish architecture of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, which was built in the late 8th century on the grounds of a former Roman temple and Visigoth chapel and turned into a cathedral in the early 13th century by Ferdinand.
The same year that Columbus set sail across the Atlantic is also when the last Islamic state, the Nasrid Dynasty, fell to Ferdinand. Rich in as much historical splendor as Seville and Cordoba, Granada is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens, as well as the Albaicin neighborhood.
PHOTO: The Alhambra.
The gardens of Generalife-which means "garden of the architect"-sit atop Cerro del Sol ("hill of the sun") and are connected to the Alhambra grounds, all of which once served as the home of Arab kings.
A flamenco show in the traditional cave-like dwellings of the Sacromonte neighborhood, home to the Roma (Gypsies), is a must-see. We recommend booking your own reservations directly or through Granada's tourism website, rather than a hotel, as they often charge large commission fees. Two of the most popular shows are at Cuevas Los Tarantos and Venta del Gallo. Both offer drinks and dinner options during the performance.
Tarifa, Cadiz, Spain
The main entrance into the town where Santiago meets the King of Salem and learns of personal legends, omens and the language of the world, is the gate of Puerta de Jerez. Connected to a medieval wall built to protect the city from outsiders, the gate reads, "Very Noble, Very Loyal and Heroic city of Tarifa," to honor the city's reclamation from the Moors.
Tarifa and its windswept beaches of Los Lances overlook the Strait of Gibraltar and in the distance Tangier, Morocco. A 35-minute ferry takes visitors from Costa de la Luz ("coast of light") to Tangier and back a few times each day.
In this small beach town, high-rise hotels are nonexistent. Rather, smaller boutique hotels are the norm. For those interested in a little more exclusivity and space, Tarifa is a good place to rent a villa for a week-perfect for reading "The Alchemist."
Do bring a bathing suit when visiting this coastal escape, as it's the place to go for travelers looking to kitesurf and windsurf.
Tangier, Morocco, Africa
When Santiago arrives in Tangier he learns the hard way that thieves are always on the lookout for unsuspecting visitors, especially those who travel alone. While it's important to remain cautious traveling in any foreign country, in the past couple of years, Tangier has seen some promising advances with new tourism projects developing near the bay and a modern business area at the city's center.
Tangier's old town, Medina, houses many of Morocco's tea houses and shops. Given Medina's touristy appeal, the trinkets can be pricey, but it's the best place to buy souvenirs in town.
Depending on weather preferences, the best time of year to go is from spring through autumn, when temperatures fall between the low 70s and 90s (Fahrenheit).
Faiyum Oasis, Egypt
Following a long stay in Tangier and an exhausting journey through the Sahara Desert, Santiago and his caravan of travelers reach Faiyum Oasis (also known as El Fayoum). It is here where the boy meets and falls in love with a young girl of the desert, Fatima. It is also here where he is finally introduced to the title character, the alchemist.
As the book describes, Faiyum is much larger than most would expect of a desert oasis, with a population of around 300,000. It is the oldest city in Egypt, dating back to the Pharaonic era, and boasts some of the most intriguing historical sites outside of Cairo.
PHOTO: Faiyum, Egypt.
The paleontological site of Wadi Al-Hitan has been recognized by UNESCO for its preservation of some of the earliest forms of whales, including the mammal's land-based ancestors. Of the hundreds of fossils found here, the remains of other oceanic animals such as sharks, sting rays, sea turtles and sawfish can also be seen.
The city sits in a depression along the salt-watered shores of Lake Qarun and is irrigated by 200 water wheels, which have been fed by the Nile since the time Pharaohs ruled the land.
Just outside of the city center are three lesser-known pyramids, including one at Meidum, another at al Lahun, and the Pyramid of Amenemhet at Hawara, which the Greek historian Herodotus wrote about with great amazement.
Faiyum is suitable for a day-trip out of Cairo, which is about a two-hour drive. But with all of area's sites, plus the local art and pottery finds in the small village of Tunis, an overnight stay would be a cultural treat. Opt for the secluded, upscale accommodations of the Helnan Auberge Hotel or choose an ecolodge, such as the Zad Al-Mosafer, which sits at the center of the city's busy nightlife. Either way, there are plenty of hotel options for an overnight stay.
[BLURB] When traveling to Egypt, be sure to check visa requirements before arriving. (Citizens of the US, UK and Canada can obtain visas at the point of entry into the country; at the airport, for instance.)[/BLURB]
Just as Santiago's journey across distant, unknown lands brought him to realize his dream, his story offers others the potential to recognize their own. Whether reading "The Alchemist" for the first time or tenth, it's not difficult to imagine walking side-by-side with the boy as he traverses his part of the world. With this destination guide as a starting point and the omens to lead the way, why not dare to dream of traveling from Andalusia to the Egyptian Pyramids?
After all, the book does demonstrate that "People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of." There's no time like the present.
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