Fall 2026 · Laconia, Greece
The Olive
Harvest Experience
Six days in the ancient tradition of the Greek harvest — hands in the grove, and the table beneath a 2,000-year-old tree.
Six fully immersive, hands-on days in the ancient tradition of Greek olive harvesting — farm life with a wellness twist. Pick alongside the growers, follow the fruit to the mill, and share the table beneath a 2,000-year-old grove.
What’s included
- 5-night stay in eco houses amidst an ancient olive grove
- All organic, farm-to-table meals with natural Greek wines
- Olive harvest experience and olive mill tour
- 6 litres of extra virgin olive oil shipped to your home
- Olive oil and table-olive tastings
- Extra virgin olive oil massage
- Guided tour of Ancient Sparta and the Olive Oil Museum
- Farm-to-table cooking class
- Natural soap-making with olive oil
- Outdoor cinema
- Greek night with live music
- A community of like-minded people
- Fun and relaxation in a beautiful setting
Not includedAirfare and transport to and from the retreat · Travel insurance · Personal expenses and souvenirs · Optional excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary · Alcoholic beverages beyond the included natural wines · Gratuities for staff and guides.
Witness the journey of the olive — from the grove, to the mill, to the oil on your table.
What makes it special
- A once-a-year harvest in the land of the ancient Spartans
- Hands-on Greek cooking with extra virgin olive oil
- A deep reconnection with nature and the origins of your food
- Meet the owners and like-minded fellow travellers
- Witness the olive's journey — grove to premium EVOO
- Wellness habits: everyday extra virgin olive oil for your health
- The slow Greek lifestyle, from rooster wake-ups to starlit dinners
- Explore Ancient Sparta and the surrounding landscape
- Meditate beneath a 2,000-year-old olive tree
- Meaningful conversations under the stars
The farm & the grove
The farm & your hosts
Hosted at eumelia, a regenerative agritourism and ecotourism farm in Laconia and a leader in premium extra virgin olive oil and oleotourism. Multi-awarded for its hotel design, product design, sustainability and culinary experience, it has been featured in the New York Times, The Guardian, Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, Travel & Leisure, Wine Enthusiast, and Food & Wine.
The farmstay is designed on biodynamic and permaculture principles. Its buildings use entirely eco-friendly materials and technologies — geothermal heating, solar hot water, composting, and natural-root water recycling — which eumelia describes as making it the most ecological farm and hotel in Greece. Set near the village of Gouves in Laconia, it produces natural wine and organic olive oil, and welcomes guests from around the world year-round.
Frangiskos Karelas
eumelia’s founder, with an MA in International Relations & Crisis Management from Johns Hopkins (SAIS). After the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and UNHCR, he returned to his great-grandfather’s land to build the farm. A permaculture diploma, 20+ years in sustainability and agritourism, and a certified olive oil & olive sommelier (Kalamata Olive Oil Taste Laboratory, T.E.I. Peloponnese). Speaks English, Italian, French and Greek.
Marilena Karadima
Left Athens and office work to ground herself in farm life and conscious cooking. eumelia’s head chef, she leads the farm-to-table classes and the oil and wine tastings. WSET Level 3 wine sommelier and certified olive oil & olive sommelier (Kalamata Olive Oil Taste Laboratory, T.E.I. Peloponnese). Speaks English, French and Greek.
Good to know
What to bring
Walking shoes, Hat, Rain jacket, Boots if possible.
Booking
Reserve at least 4 days in advance. Multi-day tour with a live guide, in English.
Cancellation
Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.
Join us this fall.
Two sessions, six days each, limited to a small group. Reach out to reserve your place or ask a question.
Enquire