In the Footsteps of …
THE ALCHEMIST
A Journey through Spain, Morocco, & Egypt with Dr. Michael Bennett
12D / 11N | Available October–March
In the Footsteps of The Alchemist
The Alchemist, a book by Paulo Coelho, has changed the course of many lives, including mine. I remember the first time I read The Alchemist on a flight from LA to Beijing. I was going through a challenging time in my personal relationship and the book helped me find clarity, peace, and a path forward. Since then, every time I read The Alchemist, another life lesson reveals itself – one that had been in the book all along, I just needed to open my heart and mind to see it.
It is my passion for this book that inspired me to craft this Journey that, as the title suggests, follows in the Footsteps of the Alchemist. Together, we'll spend over 2 weeks exploring and connecting with the history, culture, and people of southern Spain, northern Morocco, and Egypt. More important than this extraordinary 'Outer Journey' that we will go on is the 'Inner Journey' of learning and growth that we will experience throughout this adventure. Daily conversations – some scheduled, some emerging from the experiences we have and the moments we share – will invite us to look inward to find our own treasure and the Personal Legend that is awaiting each of us. Stay tuned for more information on this life-changing adventure!
Michael Bennett, Ed.D. | Co-Founder @ Explorer X
Journey Highlights
While we are keeping the detailed itinerary a bit of a mystery so that you can focus more on the Inner Journey than the minutiae of the Outer Journey, we can share some of the experiences, activities, and adventures we are most excited about!
+ A day with a shepherd in the Andalusian countryside
+ Special intro to Moroccan tea ceremony and tasting
+ Free time to explore the souks and markets of Tangier
+ An evening in the Desert with a Bedouin community
+ Special privately guided visit to the Pyramids at Giza
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
― Paulo Coelho in The Alchemist
The Journey begins in Spain …
We’ll spend the first 3 days of our adventure exploring the rolling countryside of Andalucia. We’ll meet with local shepherds and farmers, visit local villages, enjoy the food and wine of this spectacular region of southern Spain, and experience what life would have been like for Santiago. Next, we head to Tarifa, a town on the southern coast with stunning views across the Mediterranean to Africa, where we’ll meet with local musicians and gypsies to learn about their traditions and culture.
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: The fear of failure.”
― Paulo Coelho in The Alchemist
Then, we’ll spend time exploring Morocco …
From Spain, we'll sail across the narrow straight of Gibraltar to Morocco. Over the course of the next 3 days, we’ll explore the lovely port city of Tangier: We’ll learn about the importance of tea in Morocco, meet local experts and guides who will teach us about Moroccan and Arabic culture, enjoy discussions on cultural, historical, and religious traditions, and spend time walking the souks and markets of northern Morocco.
“We are travelers on a cosmic journey ... We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.”
— Paulo Coelho in The Alchemist
Before our Journey ends in Egypt.
Lastly, we'll make our way to Egypt, where we’ll spend the first 2 nights at the Fayoum Oasis in the Sahara Desert, a location of one of our favorite scenes from the book. After exploring the desert and learning about the Bedouin people and the culture of the Oasis, we’ll head back to Cairo for 2 nights. On the last full day of our adventure, we’ll have a privately guided visit to the Pyramids at Giza. That night, we’ll celebrate the Journey we have been on together, share final reflections, and say our goodbyes to one another as we head off to pursue our individual Personal Legends.
“Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”
― Paulo Coelho in The Alchemist
HANDPICKED ACCOMMODATIONS
Throughout your Journey, we’ll stay at small, charming, local accommodations that capture the essence and spirit of the destinations we will be visiting. These properties have been handpicked by our experts on the ground in Spain, Morocco, and Egypt; here are a few of them to whet your appetite!
La Cueva del Gato @ Ronda, Spain
La Cueva del Gato is a cozy, 7-room hotel in Andalusia with a passion for the simplicity, tranquility, and gastronomy that our place in the middle of nature has to offer.
La Tangerina @ Tangier, Morocco
In the heart of the Kasbah on the highest point of the Medina of Tangier, La Tangerina has the warmth and feel of an inner sanctum yet is located just yards from the souk and port.
Lazib Inn @ Fayoum Oasis, Egypt
The Lazib Inn is a boutique hotel situated in the heart of the Fayoum Oasis, a secluded haven for escaping city life and embracing the breathtaking natural beauty of the desert.
Your Guide on this Journey
Dr. Michael Bennett, Co-Founder of Explorer X
Once described as “a disarmingly earnest combination of spiritual guru and travel agent with a strange obsession with Joseph Campbell,” Michael is a seasoned traveler, speaker, consultant, educator, and entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to inspiring, guiding, and supporting others in becoming the HERO of their own story. Michael is a recognized thought leader in the travel industry and has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, Forbes, AFAR, National Geographic Traveler, Skift, Vox.com, USAToday, and CNBC among other publications.
Michael earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware and his MBA and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degrees from Pepperdine University. He is a Co-Founder of the Transformational Travel Council (2016) and Explorer X (2017).
PRICING
$7,850/pp (shared basis)
Note: This pricing is estimated; final pricing available shortly.
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INCLUSIONS
11N in handpicked accommodations
Most meals throughout the experience
All transfers between locations
Privately guided experiences
Ferry from Tarifa > Tangier
Flight from Casablanca > Cairo
Guided group discussions/reflections
Pre- / Post-Journey group conversations
… and so much more!
