The shepherd boy, when asked by the old man why he chose to be a shepherd said it was because he liked to travel. Here, in the Andalusian mountains is where he brought his flock, from town to town.
If you have read the Alchemist, Tarifa was Santiago's final destination before embarking on his journey to discover his Personal Legend, bringing him to Africa in search of the Egyptian Pyramids.
It is a beautiful drive down and a quaint town to visit. Within the fort walls, Tarifa is beautiful with its winding streets, little cafes, and a church right at its center. A wonderful place to spend an afternoon. In addition, there are several beautiful beaches surrounding Tarifa. Just beware of the wind...
This is the Moorish castle "Castillo de Guzman el Bueno", first built in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 13th century. The castle is open for visitation.
It is here, among the fort walls where Santiago meets the old man (The King of Salem) for the first time. It is here that the old man urged Santiago to follow his dreams when he was about to give them up.
"Melchizek, the king of Salem, sat on the wall of the fort that afternoon, and felt the levanter blowing in his face. (...) Melchizek watched a small ship that was plowing its way out of the port."
If you are vacationing in the Costa del Sol, there are many day trips for you to take. Here are a couple you should not miss.
Ronda is a magnificent city located in the mountains 100 km from Malaga and 35 km from Marbella. It is a must see due to its beauty and its bridges. The city is divided into two because of the Guadalevìn River, which created a deep gorge of over 100 m (the El Tajo gorge). The Puento Nuevo (or new bridge) spans this canyon. You can walk down the canyon, or just sit at a café and enjoy the scenery. Ronda is also home to the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain, built in 1784, known as the birthplace of modern bullfighting. No matter what you do, you will enjoy your time here. Similar to Ernest Hemingway, who spent many summers here.
Castellar de la Frontera is a must see castle, distinct from many others in the region because it is still inhabited. It is beautiful place to explore, with little shops and a restaurant weaving in and out of narrow cobbled walkways and courtyards surrounded by whitewashed houses packed within the castle. It even has a hotel built right into the medieval fortress walls.
The castle is perched high on a hill with breathtaking views of the Guadarranque reservoir.
In the area, there is horseback riding, hiking trails, water sports on the reservoir, and caves to explore.
The castle is perched high on a hill with breathtaking views of the Guadarranque reservoir.
In the area, there is horseback riding, hiking trails, water sports on the reservoir, and caves to explore.
Sevilla is a further drive from the Costa del Sol than the other two stops, but definitely worth it. The drive from Malaga to Seville is about 2 1/2 hours, and about 1 1/2 hours from Estepona. It is a large city, with much to do. You can visit the Cathedral of Sevilla, built from 1401-1519, one of the largest gothic cathedrals. Another definite must visit is the Alcázar Palace, rich in the Islamic past of Seville. The palace is located close to the cathedral, a hop skip and a walk from each other. Reminiscent of the Alhambra Palace in Grenada, do not miss its architecture, gardens, and pools.
