A unique experience of olives collecting in Peloponnese region
Epirus Traveller in collaboration with Positive Impact Tourism (https://positiveimpacttourism.com) organizes an 8 day unique experience of olives collecting, sightseeing and discovering the region of Mani in Peloponnese region.
We invite you to take part in a creative process that goes beyond the boundaries of a simple travel experience; an offer to relive a more traditional way of life, in the Greek countryside: a place filled with impressive secrets.
The olive is the sacred gift of the goddess Athena to the city of Athens, which, according to mythology, took its name from her. It is a tree with many symbols, such as peace, rebirth, fertility, and prosperity, and it forms the basis of the Mediterranean diet. No matter how times change, olive oil remains a fundamental ingredient in Greek cuisine and a valuable, beneficial product for our health.
Our visitors will have the opportunity to be in nature and participate in agricultural activities. The fact that one can wander among the olive trees, acquire interesting knowledge, and lend a hand in the olive harvest is a unique experience that strengthens our connection to the food we eat.
The olive harvest, an agricultural task and economic activity with a long-standing presence in Greece, offers guests the chance to participate in the olive-picking process, as part of a journey through activities and sights in the surrounding area.
After the olives are pressed, the visitor can take home a quantity of olive oil produced from their own labor.
Dates and places:
Southern Peloponnese 2024
From Saturday, November 16 until Saturday, November 23
From Saturday, November 23 until Saturday, November 30
Southern Peloponnese 2025
From Saturday, November 15 until Saturday, November 22
From Saturday, November 22 until Saturday, November 29
Itinerary as follows
Day – 1 (arrival day), Saturday
Arrival in Athens international airport
Transfer to Mani area in Peloponnese late afternoon (journey is approximately 4 hours)
Departure for Mani is at 14:00 (Greek time)
Accommodation to the hotel
Presentation of the activities
Dinner at Mani (Areopoli)
Day – 2
Preparation of the day (equipment, clothing etc)
Meet the locals at the farm and start the day
Collecting the olives from the olive trees using the traditional way, cleaning the olives, put them in baskets
A day trip to Diros cave (sea cave)
Vlychada Cave in Diros is one of the most beautiful caves in the world and is located on the west coast of the Laconian Peninsula, in Diros Bay. Under the sparse Mani landscape, nature has patiently and artistically sculpted a miracle beyond imagination – white stalactites and stalagmites, impressive waterfalls and glittering crystals adorn every corner, creating an incomparable spectacle that takes your breath away!
Meal to Mani area
Day – 3
Preparation of the day (equipment, clothing etc)
Meet the locals at the farm and start the day
Collecting the olives from the olive trees using the traditional way, cleaning the olives, put them in baskets
A visit to the olive museum in Sparta and the statue of Leonidas, the King of Sparta
At the Second Greco-Persian War, Leonidas led the allied Greek forces in a last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC), attempting to defend the pass from the invading Persian army, and was killed early during the third and last day of the battle. Leonidas entered myth as a hero and the leader of the 300 Spartans who died in battle at Thermopylae. While the Greeks lost this battle, they were able to expel the Persian invaders in the following year.
The bronze statue of Leonidas was erected in Sparta in 1969. A sign, under the statue, reads simply: "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ" ("Come and take them"), which was Leonidas' laconic reply when Persians offered to spare the lives of the Spartans if they gave up their arms.
The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta aims to highlight the culture and technology of the olive and olive oil production, which is inextricably linked with the Greek and Mediterranean identity. Unique in Greece, it is located in the heart of Laconia, one of the main olive producing locations in Greece.
Meal to Sparta
Day – 4
Preparation of the day (equipment, clothing etc)
A visit to a traditional refinery and observe how they produce your olive oil
At the end of the procedure you will get your pure olive oil for your home
Meal to Gytheion
Day – 5
Preparation of the day (equipment, clothing etc)
Cleaning a beach in Mani area (Itilo and Limeni beaches)
A visit to Limeni
Limeni is a small village on the Mani peninsula in the Peloponnese of mainland Greece. In fact, it is really just a hamlet or townlet, and until only a few decades ago, it was just a cluster of houses wrapped around a small, idyllic cove.
Meal to Mani
Day – 6
Preparation of the day (equipment, clothing etc)
Collecting olives and start the preparation for eating
A visit to Gerolimenas & Vatheia
Gerolimenas is a picturesque small coastal village and a community in the municipal unit of Oitylo, at the southern end of the Mani Penisula.
The name, which means "Old Harbour", is thought to derive from the ancient " Hieros Limen ", meaning "Sacred Harbor".
Day – 7
Sightseeing in Monemvasia and certified guiding
A visit to Areopoli, shopping or walking in the village
Areopoli is a town on the Mani Penisula.
The word Areopoli, which means "city of Ares", the Ancient Greek God of war, became the official name in 1912. The Greek War of Independence was started at Areopoli on March 17, 1821 by Petros Mavromichalis.
Dinner to Mani with locals
Day – 8
Departure for Athens international airport (journey is approximately 4 hours) at 08:00am (Greek time)
Notes:
Minimum numbers of visitors: 6
Maximum number of visitors: 14
The farms are family owned and not commercialized
Pricing:
Pricing per person: 1779€
All payments are only through bank transfer
Epirus Traveller will send all state receipts to the visitors (bank transaction and state receipt)
Inclusions
All state taxes and VAT
All transfers
Accommodation to a luxury double room (7 nights) to Mani area
Breakfast and 1 meal per day (total 7)
Certified guiding to all places of interest
Photographic & video material
1lt of olive oil per visitor
Exclusions
Tickets to the museums and caves