Private: Olive Oil tasting (outdoor)
Check local COVID-19 restrictions before booking
Experience hosted by Aspassia
3 hours
Includes food, drinks
Up to 6 people
Hosted in French, German, Greek, English, Spanish, Hebrew, Dutch
What you'll do
An outdoor olive oil tasting experience, a walk, and a discussion in the midst of a 2000-year-old monumental olive grove.
We explore the heritage and art of olive trees and olive oil in Greek life over the centuries, considering their significance in the mythology, history, culture, and cuisine of ancient and modern Cretan civilization.
Our stroll through the peaceful olive grove resembles a walk in the holy Gethsemane Garden, with its ancient olive trees. Both groves are full of the myths, flavors, and aromas of olive oil that have endured from Minoan times to the present. The beauty of the landscape makes our experience a lasting memory.
We discuss olive oil quality, the olive harvest, olive oil production, and olive oil’s health benefits. We learn about the Cretan Diet and find out how extra virgin olive oil became the most important component of a new, healthy lifestyle.
Learning how to taste olive oil according to the official tasting method, we taste four different high quality extra virgin olive oils, noticing the variations in aroma and flavor among the four varieties. Our tasting table is right under the olive trees.
In the last part of the tasting session, an olive oil-food pairing activity, we observe the way different types of olive oil go well with certain foods. We savor the amazing result after adding an excellent extra virgin olive oil that transforms a dish’s flavors. Hints about how to store, select, bake, and cook – even fry -- with olive oil will be shared.
We explore the heritage and art of olive trees and olive oil in Greek life over the centuries, considering their significance in the mythology, history, culture, and cuisine of ancient and modern Cretan civilization.
Our stroll through the peaceful olive grove resembles a walk in the holy Gethsemane Garden, with its ancient olive trees. Both groves are full of the myths, flavors, and aromas of olive oil that have endured from Minoan times to the present. The beauty of the landscape makes our experience a lasting memory.
We discuss olive oil quality, the olive harvest, olive oil production, and olive oil’s health benefits. We learn about the Cretan Diet and find out how extra virgin olive oil became the most important component of a new, healthy lifestyle.
Learning how to taste olive oil according to the official tasting method, we taste four different high quality extra virgin olive oils, noticing the variations in aroma and flavor among the four varieties. Our tasting table is right under the olive trees.
In the last part of the tasting session, an olive oil-food pairing activity, we observe the way different types of olive oil go well with certain foods. We savor the amazing result after adding an excellent extra virgin olive oil that transforms a dish’s flavors. Hints about how to store, select, bake, and cook – even fry -- with olive oil will be shared.
An outdoor olive oil tasting experience, a walk, and a discussion in the midst of a 2000-year-old monumental olive grove.
We explore the heritage and art of olive trees and olive oil in Greek life over the centuries, considering their significance in the mythology, history, culture, and cuisine of ancient and modern Cretan civilization.
Our stroll through the peaceful olive grove resembles a walk in the holy Gethsemane Garden, with it…
We explore the heritage and art of olive trees and olive oil in Greek life over the centuries, considering their significance in the mythology, history, culture, and cuisine of ancient and modern Cretan civilization.
Our stroll through the peaceful olive grove resembles a walk in the holy Gethsemane Garden, with it…
Aspassia's commitment to safety
This host has committed to Airbnb’s COVID-19-related safety and cleaning guidelines – including adhering to social distancing guidelines, practising good hygiene, and ensuring that all participants wear a mask.
What's included
- Food• A welcoming “meze” (appetizer plate) with local cheese, olives, tradition...
- DrinksTsikoudia (raki, a traditional Cretan alcoholic drink), water
From £70
/ person
- 16 Reviews
- Identity verified
My motherland, Crete, has produced the liquid gold of olive oil for centuries, using many of the same simple methods over time. After studying in France and working on European projects as an economist in Athens, I moved to Crete in 2009. Here I found the simple way of life, Cretan hospitality, a paradise on earth, my husband and my daughter. Now, I work for the Region of Crete (the local government) in the Agrifood sector.
Having fallen in love with the Cretan landscape, the flavor of extra virgin olive oil, and the ancient olive trees, I started learning about olive oil quality in 2013. As this became my passion, I attended seminars and tasting sessions. In 2019, I started the “Oliving in Crete” project, offering olive oil tours and tastings in monumental olive groves. My goal is to present olive oil not as a merely local product, but as a part of Greek culture and history. In that way, I wish to connect the high quality olive oils of Crete, the way to explore the correct taste and olive oil value with the place you visit!
Having fallen in love with the Cretan landscape, the flavor of extra virgin olive oil, and the ancient olive trees, I started learning about olive oil quality in 2013. As this became my passion, I attended seminars and tasting sessions. In 2019, I started the “Oliving in Crete” project, offering olive oil tours and tastings in monumental olive groves. My goal is to present olive oil not as a merely local product, but as a part of Greek culture and history. In that way, I wish to connect the high quality olive oils of Crete, the way to explore the correct taste and olive oil value with the place you visit!
My motherland, Crete, has produced the liquid gold of olive oil for centuries, using many of the same simple methods over time. After studying in France and working on European projects as an economist in Athens, I moved to Crete in 2009. Here I found the simple way of life, Cretan hospitality, a paradise on earth, my husband and my daughter. Now, I work for the Region of Crete (the local government) in the Agrifood sector.
Having fallen in love with the Cretan landscape, the flavor of ext…
Having fallen in love with the Cretan landscape, the flavor of ext…
Where you'll be
Our experience takes place in the village of Pigi, 8 km from the city of Rethymno on the way to Arkadi Monastery. With an area of 10.000 square meter, the venue is one of the largest monumental olive groves in the Mediterranean region. We will walk right up to olive trees that are more than 2000 years old. The local olive variety (Hondrolia) is endangered, but the sculptural trees that have survived make this olive grove a living museum of nature’s artwork.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 16 reviews.
C’était une dernière étape sur le chemin de l’aéroport, avant de retrouver le Covid, et après un séjour bien
rempli en crête. La pluie menaçait depuis le matin et en repoussant un peu l’heure, ce qu’avait gentiment
accepté Aspassia, nous avions décidé de maintenir la dégustation. Heureuse décision. Nous n’avons plus
pensé à la météo, impossible dans cette plantation millénaire, hors du temps, et totalement plongés dans
les saveurs, les odeurs et les mots d’Aspassia dans son charmant Français. Quelques heures de qualité, à
l’écart, même du rythme des vacances.
C’était une dernière étape sur le chemin de l’aéroport, avant de retrouver le Covid, et après un séjour bien
rempli en crête. La pluie menaçait depuis le matin et en repoussant un…
Me and my husband had an amazing afternoon with the lovely Aspassia in the Olive Hain. Great experience which we really can recommend.
The story, the olive oil tasting, the food, the atmosphere, everything was perfect.
Thank you so much for this great experience dear Aspassaia
Me and my husband had an amazing afternoon with the lovely Aspassia in the Olive Hain. Great experience which we really can recommend.
The story, the olive oil tasting, the food, t…
Aspassia showed us the olive oil creation process from shaking the olives off the trees to transporting and pressing them. And we got to taste the freshest EVER olive oil.
Very personable and wonderfully down to earth.
We had a picnic in olive grove with variety of awesome Cretan healthy food.
It is a lifetime experience!
Aspassia showed us the olive oil creation process from shaking the olives off the trees to transporting and pressing them. And we got to taste the freshest EVER olive oil.
Very p…
Quelle joie de découvrir le processus de la fabrication de l'huile d'olive, depuis la récolte jusqu'au pressoir. Aspassia a adapté l'expérience proposée en fonction de la saison (fin octobre). Ce qui nous a permis de rencontrer un producteur local et de tester la gaule. Amusant et enrichissant!
Quelle joie de découvrir le processus de la fabrication de l'huile d'olive, depuis la récolte jusqu'au pressoir. Aspassia a adapté l'expérience proposée en fonction de la saison (f…
Tout est parfait dans cette expérience : l'accueil, le lieu, la découverte et la dégustation de l'huile d'olive, le repas... Aspassia est extrêmement sympathique et prend le temps de faire partager sa passion. Une autre façon de découvrir la Crête et l'un des moments forts de notre séjour.
Tout est parfait dans cette expérience : l'accueil, le lieu, la découverte et la dégustation de l'huile d'olive, le repas... Aspassia est extrêmement sympathique et prend le temps…
Expérience merveilleuse.
On a découvert une nouvelle facette de cette belle île de Crête. Aspassia n’a pas dérogé à l’hospitalité crétoise : accueil et chaleur. Dans un lieu magique, plein de surprises ont rythmé cette expérience et la dégustation fut très intéressante.
Nous recommandons ce chouette moment pour ceux qui souhaitent sortir des sentiers battus et des visites standardisées. C’est une belle rencontre que nous garderons parmi nos plus beaux souvenirs sur cette île.
Expérience merveilleuse.
On a découvert une nouvelle facette de cette belle île de Crête. Aspassia n’a pas dérogé à l’hospitalité crétoise : accueil et chaleur. Dans un lieu magiqu…
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Things to know
Cancellation policy
Any experience can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase, or at least 7 days before the experience starts.
Guest requirements
Up to 6 guests ages 6 and up can attend. Parents may also bring children under 2 years of age.
What to bring
a hat and a light summer jacket
confortable walking shoes
confortable walking shoes