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2,5-3 hours
Specific Tour
50 people
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A fun and informative olive oil tour that starts with a relaxing olive walk inside the 13th century castle of Androusa, marveling the endless Messinian olive valley, continues with a οlive oil mill visit and ends up with a revealing olive oil tasting workshop by certified olive oil taster, accompanied with traditional olive oil based dishes.
Androusa is recorded as being founded by William II of Villehardouin during the mid 13th century. This was the same period as when the Androusa fortress/castle is thought to have been built, of which city walls and partially ruined towers remain on the village’s eastern perimeter overlooking the Pamisos River and the Messenian plain.
The top sight of the village is the Frankish castle in the village of Androusa in Messenia 21km from Kalamata.
The highlight in the history of the castle is that it was the seat of the notorious mercenaries of the Navarrese Company who were the last Frankish rulers of the Principality of Achaea. In those times, around the end of the 14th century, it was one of the most important castles in Peloponnese.
The castle was built some time after 1250 by the ruler of the Principality of Achaea Guillaume II de Villehardouin.
In 1381 became the seat of the Navarrese Company, a company of mercenaries, mostly from Navarre and Gascony, who fought in Greece during the late 14th century and early 15th century, in the twilight of Frankish power in the dwindling remnant of the Latin Empire.The company was hired to help James of Baux to claim the throne of Achaea. They were not very successful, but eventually they became the de facto rulers of the Pricipality of Achaea and Androusa was their seat.In 1417, the Paleologi family, the Byzantine rulers of the Despotate of Mystras took the castle. In 1462 the Turks captured Androusa.
For Olive tour and tasting available for all year depending the weather conditions and quality of production.
Come join and learn about the olive oil secrets through the years !!
Prices / 2 up to 4 persons
Prices / 5 up to 8 persons
For less or more participants please contact us in order to offer you flexible rates.
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A fun and informative tour that starts with a relaxing walk inside the castle of Androusa of the 13th century, admiring the vast olive valley of Messinia, we continue with a visit to an olive mill and end up in a tasting workshop of traditional wine based on olive oil.
PART 1: THE CASTLE(45’)
Our Tour starts at the magnificent 13th century castle of Androusa,located in the heart of Messinia, just 20 minutes drive from Kalamata and 10 minutes from Ancient Messene. At this idyllic landscape, viewing all the Messinian Valley with the 15.0000.000 olive trees we discover the history, the tradition of the area
and also the mythical stories of the castle olive trees…Inside the Castle there also perennial olive trees of both Kalamata and Koroneiki variety ..their fruits, the cultivation and harvesting are revealed through interactive stories and a surprising treasure hunt game …(45’)
PART 2: THE TRADITIONAL & THE MODERN OLIVE OIL MILL (40’)
We walk only 200m, in the heart of Androusa Village and we visit a unique Olive Oil mill that is located there since 1904. The 5th generation owner will explain to us the procedure of the extraction, the standardization and storage of extra virgin olive oil.The visit in the traditional olive oil Mill travel us back to time!
A presentation, an Olive quiz and a documentary (5’) will reveal to us all the secrets of a high quality extra virgin olive oil!
PART 3 : OLIVE OIL TASTING & FOOD PAIRING (30’)
An interactive Olive oil tasting work shop by certified olive oil taster that focuses on Olive oil Categories, Olive oil Sensory Tasting, Olive oil Defects & positive charactericts at least in 3 different Extra Virgin Olive oils.
Olive oil & Food Pairing : Basic Principles of Food Pairing and tasting of 1. Greek Yogurt, 2. Bread, 3. Local cheese and vegetables 4. Chocolate(!) with different olive oils.
PART 4: Local Taste(30’)
Traditional and local goods such as lalagia, smoked ham (pasto), smoked sausage Kalamata Olives, tzatziki in bread, feta cheese, sfela cheese, graviera cheese, Spinachpie, Wine, water etc.Dessert: Traditional Yogurt and fruit Compote or halvas or Diples etc
Gift for every guest : a traditional olive soap
Comfortable shoes - Clothing.
Hat.
Backpack.
Bottle of water.
Sunglasses.
Sunscreen ( During summer period)
Meeting point : Castle of Androusa.
Every day meeting time : 11:00 am for morning tour and 18:00 pm for afternoon tour.
Departure time anf information will be advised by sms or email one (1) day before the departure of your tour/activity.
Optional extra transport from/to your accommodation.
Basic physical condition.
No hiking experience required. Light walking is nessecery.
If you have any food ingredient allergy or allergy on other natural sources like egg bees, please let us know.
Children need to be accompanied by an adult.
Participants should feel comfortable in walking and able to walk.
For any tour is required a minimoum number of participations in order to be materialized. In case of less participants our travel agency has the right to cancel the tour or to postpone the date in another with more participants.Last day of information about the materialisation of the tour can be 1 day before departure as some new last minute - bookings or cancelations can influence the tour.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the prebooked tour.
All customer touchpoints are frequently cleaned
Social distancing is maintained in vehicles
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds.
Masks are required, please bring your own...
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