September 2009
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The latest gastro breaks let you have hands-on experience of the olive harvesting season this month
It's harvest time — and you can join in
ITALY
At Borgobianco (borgobianco.it), a luxury masseria overlooking the bay of Polignano in Puglia, guests can stroll through the newly opened estate’s olive groves, visit other olive oil producers, and learn to cook local specialities in the kitchens. There’s a chic spa, too, perfect for chilling out after a bowl or two of pasta. From £489 per person for three nights.
Further north in the Le Marche region, the olive and chestnut harvests kick off this month. At Casal dei Fichi, a luxurious farmhouse, you can roll up your sleeves and get picking, pressing, tasting and cooking, as well as feasting on regional specialities in local restaurants. From £495 per person for three nights. Visit tastingplaces.com.
SPAIN
The Sierra Subbetica Natural Park in Andalucia is prime olive territory — and visitors can join farmers harvesting in the groves. It’s not all hard work though. You’ll learn to distinguish the characteristics of Spanish olive oils and how to cook typical Andalucian dishes — think salt-roasted sea bass with charred sweet red pepper and olive oil salsa — while staying in a rustic finca in a Moorish village. From £351 per person for four nights. Visit golearnto.com.
TURKEY
Perched above the unspoilt bay of Kumlubük, near Dalaman, the Dionysos hotel boasts 1,500 olive trees in its organic gardens. It’s a foodie haven — there are tastings and cookery demonstrations and this year olive oil harvest breaks are being offered for the first time too. A private beach club and lovely spa add to the appeal. From £500 per person for seven nights. Visit exclusiveescapes.co.uk.
FRANCE
Provence and olive oil go hand in hand and fans can follow the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée Alpilles olive route through the mountains, stopping for prearranged tastings. Real Provence offers a trip that includes a stay at the Hotel les Ateliers de l’Image in the market town of St Remy de Provence and a half-day cookery course with lunch at Mas de Cornud in St Remy or La Mirande in Avignon. From £700 per person for four nights. Visit real-provence.com. Join the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms network (wwoof.org) to volunteer to work in an olive harvest at an organic farm. Payment is usually in olive oil.
