Honey and olive oil tour
The tour departs from your hotel, heading to the traditional village of Polemarchi. There we will meet the experienced beekeeper Antonis Papagianakis, who will guide you for approximately two hours through the fascinating world of Cretan beekeeping, in a unique experience called “the road of honey.”
Upon arrival you will put on the special beekeeping veil provided and have the opportunity to observe a hive inspection up close. Through this hands-on experience you will see the worker bees, the drones and, if we are lucky, the queen bee. You will also observe the brood, the pollen and the fresh honey, which you will have the chance to taste directly from the honeycomb.
We will then move to the welcoming surroundings of our hosts’ home, where we will enjoy honey as it is traditionally consumed in Crete. At the table you will be greeted by authentic local delicacies, such as mountain tea from the hills of Crete, pollen, pasteli (sesame and honey bar) and rakomelo, all prepared by the producers themselves. You will also taste nuts, Cretan graviera cheese with rusk and other flavours that pair perfectly with honey.
During the visit we will discuss the nutritional value of honey and pollen, the vital contribution of bees to the ecosystem over more than 110 million years, as well as the modern challenges facing bee colonies worldwide.
At the end of the visit we will be guided through the production workshop, where we will learn about the honey extraction process and the stages of honey processing. Those who wish may purchase local honey and pollen directly from the producer.
After this unique gastronomic experience, we continue our journey through lush landscapes full of olive trees, heading to the village of Vouves. There we will visit the famous Ancient Olive Tree of Vouves, considered one of the oldest olive trees in the world, estimated to be more than 3,000 years old. Next to this historic tree stands the Vouves Olive Tree Museum, where you can discover the history of olive cultivation in Crete.
After approximately one hour, we continue to the modern facilities of Terra Creta, one of the most well-known producers of extra virgin olive oil in Crete. There you will have the opportunity to take part in a complete “olive oil experience”, discovering every stage of the production process.
From the harvesting of the olives to the production process at the olive mill, the bottling and the guided olive oil tasting, visitors can learn all the secrets of this precious product of the Cretan land. Through the guided tour you will discover the characteristics of a quality Cretan extra virgin olive oil and taste different varieties.
It is worth noting that the olive mill operates at full capacity during the harvest season, from October to February. During the summer period, guided tours of the facilities take place, where the company’s experts present the production process in detail. The tour is conducted in English.
After completing the experience, we begin the return journey to your hotel. The drive takes approximately one hour and passes through small traditional villages of the area, bringing to a close an authentic experience of the flavours, products and traditions of the Cretan land.
Tour info
Terra Creta tour: €10 per person (free for children) — Minimum 2 participants
