The olive grove is sheltered from the northern wind and open to the sea breeze from the bay. The soil is good for the trees, and with the farmers’ care, the grove will generously provide its fruit. The olive trees thrive in a Mediterranean climate. Starting in October -depending on the type of olive and the region- when olives are shaken from the trees and gathered in nets on the ground, the farmers welcome every year their enthusiastic visitors.
A unique experience is what they are looking for and Greece’s “green gold” never fails them. The tours comprise mill visit, participating in the olive oil harvest and production and olive oil tasting with an aim to engage and provide useful insight in the country’s international trademark.
For almost 4.000 years, olive oil has been narrating a unique story that showcases Greece’s fertile land and connects people to their ancient cultural heritage as a symbol of peace, social and religious values, emblem of consecration and purity, affluence and wisdom.
In today’s world, Greece boasts appr. 120 million olive trees scattered across the country which practically means that every family has its own olive oil produce even if as little as to supply itself. This abundance accounts for the olive oil’s wide-spread consumption. Most importantly though, it’s underpinned by its nutritional properties (antioxidant, cardio- protective and anti-inflammatory action) originally established by Hippocrates who recommended olive oil for 60 health problems, including for assuring longevity!
Very few products are so entwined with a place’s history and culture as olive oil and olive trees are. In this respect, it was only a matter of time until they formed a multi-sensory journey unravelling throughout the land among olive groves, aromas and tastes. Some of the numerous olive oil producing regions that take pride in their products, are Crete and the Peloponnese as well as parts of Northern Greece and several islands. However, seemingly, everything that precedes the actual product adds substantially to its value and has become a product itself: Olive themed trips!
Authentic taste of rural living
Agrotourism accommodation units, basically farms, welcoming guest who wish to experience helping with the harvest, has been a travel option for many years. Participating in the olive harvest may include working in the olive grove for a couple of days, picking olives, learning the olive culture, and even watching step by step the process of extraction and bottling. Your special treat will be a bottle of your own harvest olive oil to take home and of course olive oil pairing with food and even tasting some of its most delicious flavors.
An olive oil immersion
At Eumelia, located in olive oil’s starring producing region, Gouves Laconias, you have the option of either staying and experiencing the organic farm or visiting them for the day. Enjoy olive picking, olive oil tastings and farm to table cooking classes among other activities. Their highlight is the 5-day tour where you will immerse yourself in the amazing world of olive oil in a holistic experience, living in an ancient olive grove with perennial trees and making natural olive oil soap.
Worldwide affinity for sustainability
Despite its rather far-off location, the Olive Farm, a small farm run on sustainable principles, has acquired world-wide reputation. It is situated at the edge of the village of Litsarda, a tiny, beautiful village at the district of Apokoronas in western Crete. The property includes a traditional cottage with a terrace and an outdoor kitchen in the olive grove to enjoy your harvest after a good day’s produce. Visit the olive groves in areas of Protected Geographical Indication where you can do a couple of hours of olive picking. To round off your day, nibble on local delicacies under the trees and visit the olive mill to learn the process and sample the oil you helped produce. Accommodation is available in the nearby villages.
A most-praised link to tradition
At Koronekes Olive Farm you can visit one of the largest olive groves in the region of Heraklion and attend tastings on the farm. The Koutoulakis family, who produces organic extra virgin olive oils in our own traditional olive mill from organic Koroneiki olive trees, has created a beautiful estate, perfect for visiting and learning all about the local olive farming, harvesting, processing, and of course, tasting! The farm is located close to Spilia village, halfway between Knossos Palace Archaeological Site and Archanes Village, in an area rich with wineries and local tavernas, within easy driving distance of Heraklion Town of only 11 km.
Story telling turns into experience
Against a Cycladic -yet more hilly- dreamy backdrop Paros Olive Oil Tasting delivers high-quality olive oil tasting experiences on the namesake island. The itinerary includes exploring an olive grove in Lefkes and a tour of the traditional settlement, a walk on ancient footpaths and taste sessions of EVOO while pairing it with Cycladic dishes.
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