Excursions & day trips

Nat Geo Day Tour: The Millenary History of Olive Oil

from

£104.00

Free cancellation

Language: German, English

Mobile voucher accepted

Duration: from 4 hours to 8 hours

Instant confirmation

Meal included

E-Voucher

Why you’ll love this…

Explore the living legacy of the enduring relationship between the olive tree and human civilization, which permeates daily life in the Mediterranean.
Join Nikos Plevritakis, olive oil taster, resident of Crete, and agricultural specialist, who will share a rare, behind the scenes perspective on sustainable farming, and his favorite Cretan recipes.
Visit a local olive oil cooperative, discovering first-hand how olives become world-class oil and participate in a professional olive oil tasting session, experimenting with your palate, and sharing your impressions.
Enjoy a scenic walk among local gardens, tasting regional fruit and learning about Cretan dietary habits.
Participate in a cooking lesson on various ways to use olive oil in Cretan cuisine and find out why the traditional Cretan diet is so beneficial to health and longevity.

What to expect

Approximate itinerary and duration of activities

Introduction - 15 minutes

Walking tour through the olive trees - 30 minutes

Pause for questions and raki drink - 15 minutes

Olive oil factory tour - 40 minutes

Olive oil tasting and questions - 55 minutes

Cooking demonstration and tastings - 30 minutes

Please note the order of activities may vary at your guide's discretion

With millennia of experience behind them, it's no wonder the people of Crete produce some of the finest olive oil in the world. You will appreciate the timeless bond between Cretans and their revered olive trees as you trace the long heritage of olive cultivation on the island.

Just outside Kritsa village in the hills of eastern Crete, you'll follow Nikos Plevritakis on a brief walk to his olive groves where some trees are 600-800 years old, and learn about olive cultivation from a true specialist.

In the shade of the olive trees, you can try local raki known as ‘tsikoudia' with olives to nibble on while discussing the cultural and societal significance of olive cultivation in Crete.

Then it's time to visit a local cooperative factory, to see up close how olives are processed into world-class olive oil. Back on the Olive Path, seize the chance to taste fresh figs, almonds, and grapes, see what the locals are growing, and find out all about the Cretan lifestyle and diet.

Then, at an olive farm, you can sample olives, fresh tomatoes, and raki before your olive oil tasting session begins – a great opportunity to learn how to taste oils like a professional and compare the flavor profiles of different varieties.

Finish off the day with a cooking lesson on various ways to use olive oil in Cretan cuisine. Authentic dishes, such as tzatziki and Greek salad will feature, and you'll find out why the traditional Cretan diet is so beneficial to health and longevity.

What's included

Transport
Guide
Walking tour
Demonstration
Guided tour
Snack
Welcome drink

Where

What to remember

Not suitable for wheelchairs
Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
Bring suitable footwear
Bring a hat
Bring money for extras or gratuities
English-speaking guide for all nationalities

Provider

TUI Hellas Travel, Tourism and Airlines SA, with Tax Number 094469778 and Travel License Number 0261Ε60000126100

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Aline
From United States of America - August 2025

Travelled with family

18 - 24 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
5/5

Die Tour hat uns wirklich sehr gut gefallen. Nikos und Janis lieben die Olive und auch ihren Job sehr. Die Führung in der Fabrik habe ich als etwas l ...
AnYou
From United States of America - July 2025

Travelled as a couple

35 - 44 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
4/5

Die Führung in der Olivenölfabrik war zu lang und zu ausführlich ( ich glaubte schon, wir sollten die Fabrik übernehmen) und das in der Hitze, zudem s ...
Michael
From United States of America - July 2025

Travelled with family

25 - 34 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
5/5
Karola
From United States of America - July 2025

Travelled as a couple

18 - 24 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
4/5

Man hat sehr viel über die Olivenbäume erfahren, obwohl es sehr warm war, war es angenehm. In der Fabrik war es auch sehr ausführlich. Obwohl es da we ...
Inge Ramselaar
From United States of America - July 2025

Travelled with family

35 - 44 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
5/5

Heel interessant om naar drie bevlogen gidsen te luisteren, hun erfgoed (en het proces) te leren begrijpen en alles te zien. De proeverij was educatie ...
Mariana
From United States of America - July 2025

Solo traveller

18 - 24 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
5/5

This is the best trip to choose during a stay in Crete. Our guides, Rena and Nicos, explained us a Lot about olives, also with practical demonstration ...

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Nat Geo Day Tour: The Millenary History of Olive Oil

Approximate itinerary and duration of activitiesIntroduction - 15 minutesWalking tour through the olive trees - 30 minutesPause for questions and raki drink - 15 minutesOlive oil factory tour - 40 minutesOlive oil tasting and questions - 55 minutesCooking demonstration and tastings - 30 minutesPlease note the order of activities may vary at your guide's discretion With millennia of experience behind them, it's no wonder the people of Crete produce some of the finest olive oil in the world. You will appreciate the timeless bond between Cretans and their revered olive trees as you trace the long heritage of olive cultivation on the island. Just outside Kritsa village in the hills of eastern Crete, you'll follow Nikos Plevritakis on a brief walk to his olive groves where some trees are 600-800 years old, and learn about olive cultivation from a true specialist. In the shade of the olive trees, you can try local raki known as ‘tsikoudia' with olives to nibble on while discussing the cultural and societal significance of olive cultivation in Crete. Then it's time to visit a local cooperative factory, to see up close how olives are processed into world-class olive oil. Back on the Olive Path, seize the chance to taste fresh figs, almonds, and grapes, see what the locals are growing, and find out all about the Cretan lifestyle and diet. Then, at an olive farm, you can sample olives, fresh tomatoes, and raki before your olive oil tasting session begins – a great opportunity to learn how to taste oils like a professional and compare the flavor profiles of different varieties. Finish off the day with a cooking lesson on various ways to use olive oil in Cretan cuisine. Authentic dishes, such as tzatziki and Greek salad will feature, and you'll find out why the traditional Cretan diet is so beneficial to health and longevity.

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Available in:

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free cancellation

Available in:

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Nat Geo Day Tour: The Millenary History of Olive Oil

What people say about this experience

Excellent