Olive picking in Abruzzo

Authentic Olive Picking Experience in Abruzzo

Extra virgin olive oil is a cornerstone of Italian cuisine and the Mediterranean diet, and there’s no better place to experience its origins than in Abruzzo. Here, centuries-old olive trees flourish from the Adriatic coast to the Apennine mountains, rooted in a rich, time-honoured tradition of olive harvesting.

Join us for a truly immersive olive picking experience in Abruzzo, a region known as the green heart of Italy, home to three national parks and largely untouched by mass tourism. This is your chance to explore Italy off the beaten path and connect with its cultural and culinary roots.

Discover the Magic of Olive Harvest Season in Abruzzo

Olive picking in Abruzzo begins in late September, depending on the year’s harvest. Your day starts with a hearty, homemade breakfast. Then, after a short scenic walk to the olive groves, the day’s activity begins.

Once the nets are laid out beneath the trees, you’ll join the locals in a relaxed, hands-on olive harvesting session. There’s no pressure, you can pick olives at your own pace, soaking in the beautiful surroundings and timeless rhythms of rural life.

More Than Just Olive Picking

Our long weekend in Abruzzo is thoughtfully designed to offer a well-rounded, unforgettable experience. In addition to olive harvesting, you’ll:

Visit a local winery to taste regional wines and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch with the winemakers.

Explore local gastronomy with stops at artisanal producers of Ventricina, arrosticini, and other traditional Abruzzese delicacies.

Enjoy optional activities like pasta-making classes, traditional dessert workshops, and outdoor yoga in the serene countryside.

Relax and Explore at Your Own Pace

Whether you prefer to unwind on quiet sandy beaches, hike through Abruzzo’s national parks, or explore charming villages, the weekend is yours to shape. From bear and wolf sightings in the wild to historical towns and unspoiled nature, Abruzzo offers something for every kind of traveler.

A Delicious Souvenir to Take Home

At the end of your stay, you’ll receive a tin of your very own extra virgin olive oil, pressed from the very olives you helped harvest. It’s a perfect way to remember your trip - and share a taste of Italy with family and friends.

What’s Included

The experience begins on Thursday, September 25 and concludes on Monday, September 29, with departure after breakfast. The price per person includes:

4 nights’ accommodation in a charming agriturismo, including daily breakfast (based on double occupancy)
– Single supplement: £100

4 traditional Italian dinners

2 memorable lunches: one with the olive pickers and one at a local winery

All transportation to and from the olive orchard and winery

A 500ml tin of extra virgin olive oil, freshly pressed from the olives you picked yourself

Until then, check our range of Italian extra virgin olive oils.