Holidays & Tours
Holidays and Tours from Olivaverde
Olivaverde as well as offering fine extra virgin olive oil and pasta from Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean region, now also offers olive oil and wine appreciation tours, cookery courses and culinary holidays in four very different regions of Italy.As part of our love for fine olive oil and pasta we wished to offer our clients the opportunity of visiting our Italian friends in Italy who produce all these wonderful products. This would allow them to experience first hand the hospitality, knowledge and love of olive oils, wines and pasta that all the Italian artisans are famous for.
Based in Le Marche in eastern Italy we can offer a wide selection of olive oil and wine appreciation tours both in central Le Marche, mainly in the Senigallia area on the Adriatic coast and also in the southern provinces of Le Marche where we are based.
The other regions in which we offer holidays, courses and tours are Umbria, Sicily and Tuscany, where we can offer a wide selection of different holidays and tours ranging from a single day at a olive oil or wine producer to a week visiting producers and attending courses offered by both Italian and other talented cooks in wonderful surroundings.
All of Olivaverde’s partners in Italy have many years of experience in offering the outstanding and memorable tours and visits in their particular part of Italy and we are pleased to working closely in conjunction with them to offer these wonderful holidays to our clients.
For more details of our range of tours, holidays and courses please do contact us at Olivaverde in Italy or the UK at info@olivaverde.co.uk.
Olive Oil and Wine Appreciation Tours in Le Marche
Olivaverde is based in the beautiful region of Le Marche in eastern Italy and in the southernmost province of Ascoli Piceno.
Over many years of working in Le Marche I have made many good friends and colleagues and now we offer both food, wine and olive oil appreciation tours and holidays of high quality in southern and central Le Marche.
The tours range from a one day in duration with lunch to up to a week in length visiting the two different areas of Le Marche we cover, and they are all organised and overseen by talented local Italians who are fluent in English. They are passionate about this beautiful region of Italy and have an in depth knowledge of the areas in which they live and work. They help bring alive both the produce and history of their particular area of Le Marche and enjoy sharing their knowledge with visitors and students who are from outside of the region.
The tours and holidays on offer by the Olivaverde team are mostly in and around the villages of Monterubbiano, Carassai and Campofilone in the south of the region and the resort of Senigallia and villages of Ronticelli and Corinaldo in central Le Marche.
Visits to small olive oil producers include visiting their olive groves as well as the mills where the oil is produced and tastings of the oils where they are pressed and made.
There is also the opportunity to attend tastings which will be run by professional olive oil tasters and where many of the local olive oils will be available to try.
Visits to producers of olive oil made by organic methods as well as biodynamic oils will be available in a select few of the tours and holidays, and we hope to increase the number available over the coming years.
In the case of the wine tours and tastings, both the local white and red wines will be available to sample as well as visits to the vineyards and the producers. The white wine of the Le Marche region which is most widely known is Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and these high quality white wines are produced around the area of Castelli di Jesi and Matelica. The wines are noted for light green appearance from which they derive their name and their high acidity and a characteristic almond flavour and are now widely available in the UK and Ireland.
But Le Marche is not known as a region of Italy which produces good red wine, but in fact there are many fine red wines available, including Rosso Conero, Rosso Piceno and the wonderful Lacrima di Morro d’Alba.
Visits to the producers of all these notable wines as well as many other fine wines produced in Le Marche are available on the tours offered by Olivaverde in Le Marche.
Over many years of working in Le Marche I have made many good friends and colleagues and now we offer both food, wine and olive oil appreciation tours and holidays of high quality in southern and central Le Marche.
The tours range from a one day in duration with lunch to up to a week in length visiting the two different areas of Le Marche we cover, and they are all organised and overseen by talented local Italians who are fluent in English. They are passionate about this beautiful region of Italy and have an in depth knowledge of the areas in which they live and work. They help bring alive both the produce and history of their particular area of Le Marche and enjoy sharing their knowledge with visitors and students who are from outside of the region.
The tours and holidays on offer by the Olivaverde team are mostly in and around the villages of Monterubbiano, Carassai and Campofilone in the south of the region and the resort of Senigallia and villages of Ronticelli and Corinaldo in central Le Marche.
Visits to small olive oil producers include visiting their olive groves as well as the mills where the oil is produced and tastings of the oils where they are pressed and made.
There is also the opportunity to attend tastings which will be run by professional olive oil tasters and where many of the local olive oils will be available to try.
Visits to producers of olive oil made by organic methods as well as biodynamic oils will be available in a select few of the tours and holidays, and we hope to increase the number available over the coming years.
In the case of the wine tours and tastings, both the local white and red wines will be available to sample as well as visits to the vineyards and the producers. The white wine of the Le Marche region which is most widely known is Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and these high quality white wines are produced around the area of Castelli di Jesi and Matelica. The wines are noted for light green appearance from which they derive their name and their high acidity and a characteristic almond flavour and are now widely available in the UK and Ireland.
But Le Marche is not known as a region of Italy which produces good red wine, but in fact there are many fine red wines available, including Rosso Conero, Rosso Piceno and the wonderful Lacrima di Morro d’Alba.
Visits to the producers of all these notable wines as well as many other fine wines produced in Le Marche are available on the tours offered by Olivaverde in Le Marche.
The Agriturismo
Aurora Agriturismo is set amongst the vineyards and olive groves of the estate and combines two country residences which have been renovated ecologically as much as possible, without destroying the original structure of the Casa Colonica.
The accommodation comprises 5 apartments, all of various dimensions and can sleep 2, 4 and 6 persons, charmingly named Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Situated in a perfect position surrounded by historic ancient hill top towns, rich in cultural heritage and architecture; the Sibilini national park and the Adriatic coast.
Great attention to ecological detail has been maintained and the materials used do not pollute or damage the environment. Ecological paint and wood varnish has been used, the electrical implants do not create magnetic fields. solar panels have been installed to produce hot water, there is a filtered waste system and all the water is recycled.
Aurora Wines and Agriturismo
Situated near the beautiful town of Offida in southern Le Marche, a Borgo given the prestigioius title of "one of the most beautiful Borgos in Italia in 2008", and also known as "paese di sorriso" town of smiles.The town is surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside and it is only 30 minutes to reach the coast and Adriatic sea and likewise the Mount Sibilini national park, where one can find skiing in winter months.
The Azienda Aurora is an organic wine estate which makes "supermarchigiano" wines a "Super Marche" similar to the "Super Tuscan" and the nickname for elite cru wines.
The Vineyards
Aurora is a certified biological wine grower with 9 hectares of vineyard with an annual volume of 45,000 bottles, the reds include Rosso Piceno and Barricadiero and the white Pecorino Fiobbo.
Aurora's vineyards are all located in the municipality of Offida at the heart of doc Falerio, Rosso Piceno Superiore Offida and Pecorino; about 180 metres above sea level in a soil that is clay limestone. The red grapes grow in a south, southeast position and the white in a northwest location, in cooler soils.
Aurora is totally committed to organic farming techniques. The fertilizer is made, sowing various vegetable crops which provide nitrogen and humus to the soil and the soil is kept loose and airy. The pesticide treatments are designed to help the natural plant defenses and are made with small doses of copper salts and sulphur , these being natural poisons of insects and pests.
San Filippo
The winery estate of San Filippo is located near Offida, in the Ascoli Piceno province of southern Le Marche. The estate was founded by the brothers Stracci in 1999 with the intention of continuing the culture of winemaking inherited from their father and uncle. In 2003 with a few years of making wines with their passion and experience this led to the decision to found the winery and now call it the "Azienda Agricola San Filippo".Importantly and uniquely their vineyards are committed to produce wines which are only grown and produced organically and duly certified as such. The estate covers 48 hectares or just under 120 acres of land, all of which are laid down as vineyards.
The Italian authority "Suolo e Salute" is an accredited certifying agent and has certified "Azienda Gricola San Filippo" with the certificate of organic growth and processing standards, and as a result carry out regular inspections at their winery estate to ensure the exacting standards are maintained.
Thus, San Filippo has successfully enhanced the traditional wine making process by using the latest organic farming and processing techniques. San Filippo is very proud to have been able to use the quality seal "organic" for their wines ever since their vintage of 2005.
The Stracci family are fully involved in all the various stages of production, commencing with the meticulous care of the vineyards and harvesting all the way through to the careful final wine making processes and the bottling of the various types of wine.
Olive Oil, Tours and Accommodation in Sicily
Sicilianexperience.com is based in northern Sicily was founded by Carmelina Ricciardello who is a native of Sicily and passionate about her land and promoting its beauty, culture and people to a wider world. Her goal is to promote the island to visitors who wish to experience Sicilian life in a way that is underpinned by sustainable tourism, whilst supporting the local economy of the island she loves. All the tours in Sicily conducted and arranged by Carmelina are tailored to the individual clients or groups personal requirements and tastes, so each tour or visit is unique to that person or group and a truly memorable experience.
The company offers a range accommodation, tours, walks and visits to vineyards and olive oil producers, as well as clients being able to attend cookery classes overseen by talented Sicilian chefs.
We hope to expand the culinary tours with the food and appreciation courses over the coming years and we are very excited about being involved with Carmelina and the wide range of produce on offer in this wonderful country.
As well as organising visits, tours and walks, Carmelina is also responsible for sourcing small olive oil producers for our range of fine oils at Olivaverde and also finding artisans who produce other local foods which are typically Sicilian.
Sicily is a vibrant island surrounded by clear seas, blessed with magnificent mountain scenery, ancient monuments and traditional villages where the way of life has changed little over the centuries. It is an island with its own unique character, still relatively untouched by tourism.
Sicily is so well known for its coastline and historic monuments, but very little for its magnificent countryside, mountains and medieval towns, abandoned by their populations seeking more prosperity. With its magnificent climate one can visit Siciyly at any time of the year and apart from the very hot summer period walks are available from September to end of May early June.
Sicily's produce is wonderfully abundant, the powerful sun and rich volcanic soil, combined with an irrigation system introduced by the Arabs, means that a wonderful variety of crops can be grown, all with a pure, intense flavour. Much of the main valley stretching west from Catania is now intensively farmed and Sicilian markets display an incredible wealth of produce. Since very little fruit or vegetables are imported the markets also display only what is in season and can be grown locally and therefore Sicilian cuisine and Sicilian recipes change noticeably from season to season.
Sicily is also home to more than one third of Italy's organic farms. There are over 7,000 organic farms in Sicily, making up the widest organic cultivation area in Italy. Sicilian organic wine has been very successful in its production, as well as also producing some very fine extra virgin olive oils. Many of the Agriturismo on Sicily run their kitchens solely off the produce from their own farms. Sicilian food is always very fresh!
The company offers a range accommodation, tours, walks and visits to vineyards and olive oil producers, as well as clients being able to attend cookery classes overseen by talented Sicilian chefs.
We hope to expand the culinary tours with the food and appreciation courses over the coming years and we are very excited about being involved with Carmelina and the wide range of produce on offer in this wonderful country.
As well as organising visits, tours and walks, Carmelina is also responsible for sourcing small olive oil producers for our range of fine oils at Olivaverde and also finding artisans who produce other local foods which are typically Sicilian.
Sicily is a vibrant island surrounded by clear seas, blessed with magnificent mountain scenery, ancient monuments and traditional villages where the way of life has changed little over the centuries. It is an island with its own unique character, still relatively untouched by tourism.
Sicily is so well known for its coastline and historic monuments, but very little for its magnificent countryside, mountains and medieval towns, abandoned by their populations seeking more prosperity. With its magnificent climate one can visit Siciyly at any time of the year and apart from the very hot summer period walks are available from September to end of May early June.
Sicily's produce is wonderfully abundant, the powerful sun and rich volcanic soil, combined with an irrigation system introduced by the Arabs, means that a wonderful variety of crops can be grown, all with a pure, intense flavour. Much of the main valley stretching west from Catania is now intensively farmed and Sicilian markets display an incredible wealth of produce. Since very little fruit or vegetables are imported the markets also display only what is in season and can be grown locally and therefore Sicilian cuisine and Sicilian recipes change noticeably from season to season.
Sicily is also home to more than one third of Italy's organic farms. There are over 7,000 organic farms in Sicily, making up the widest organic cultivation area in Italy. Sicilian organic wine has been very successful in its production, as well as also producing some very fine extra virgin olive oils. Many of the Agriturismo on Sicily run their kitchens solely off the produce from their own farms. Sicilian food is always very fresh!
Tours and Accommodation in Umbria
Agricola Faena in Umbria
In Umbria Olivaverde can offer two wonderful venues for both olive oil, wine tours and accompanying appreciation holidays. Both venues are in central Umbria and located not too far from the beautiful cites of Perugia and Todi.
The first of these is a large estate producing both olive oil and wine, but also having several luxury apartments and rooms available for both holiday lettings and longer stays. There is a small restaurant area and also a large industrial kitchen area where cookery courses are held. Our olive oil appreciation classes are also held in the large canteen as well on the large terrace overlooking the Umbrian countryside.
Olivaverde can offer food, wine and olive oil appreciation holidays at this wonderful venue, deep in the beautiful green Umbrian countryside and are very pleased to be in cooperation with this world class estate.
Agricola Faena set in the beautiful Umbrian countryside has been since 1700 the property of the family of the Count Faina di Civitella dè Conti, it is currently managed by the brothers Sebastiano and Alessandro Faina, and covers an area in San Venanzo, Monte Castello di Vibio and Fratta Todina, in Umbria.
At the centre of the farm stands the historical Castello di Collelungo estate, this is also the property of the Faina Family. The farm is just over 400 hectares, 50 hectares of which are used for the finest quality olive oil production. The remainder of the land is given over to vines, walnut groves and some arable land.
Tenuta di Saragano in Umbria
Tenuta di Saragano is a wonderful estate located between Todi and Montefalco in Umbria.
The estate is in the heart of Umbria’s olive oil area and is also a great tourist region with the olive oil museum at the hilltop village of Trevi, the vineyards of Montefalco and the basilica of Assisi all within a 30 minute drive. This area of Umbria is renowned for producing wonderful sweet and fruity extra virgin olive oils and the oil produced at the Tenuta di Saragano is among the best available to the general public.
The Count Pongelli family have owned the estate since the 14th century and the production of first class olive oil has been maintained throughout that time. The olive groves are planted with the usual triumverate of Frantoio, Leccino and Moraiolo olive varieties found in Umbria and the Frantoio variety dominates in the extra virgin olive oil making up just over 50% of the blend. These varieties blended together give the olive oils from this part of Umbria their special distinct flavour and colour. The groves have been cultivated since the 14th century and have always been free of the use of chemicals and additives and that is still the case today. Olives are harvested from end of October through to December and are processed with traditional millstones and a sinolea machine, which cuts the paste with 5,000 tiny stainless steel knives. This process extracts 60% of the oil from the paste. The oil is bottled unfiltered and the sediment is allow to drop out of the liquid naturally.
The magnificent villa offers guests 12 wonderful bedrooms with antique furniture, four poster beds and two suites with fireplace and provides the perfect romantic getaway, a wonderful venue to celebrate a special anniversary or family party, or a place to relax and unwind from the stresses of life in beautiful surroundings where nature and history are embraced. Not only that La Ghirlanda has been awarded the very prestigious title "Best Agriturismo in Italy 2010" in DOVE magazine, the number 1 Italian magazine for travelling and accommodation in Italy. Where else better to receive such acclaim, who knows Italy better than Italians!
The lovely intimate restaurant produces typical Umbrian cuisine and rich breakfast buffet. The villa offers also mountain-bikes, horse riding, swimming-pool with panoramic view and an exquisite service that encourages relaxation and peace, allowing guests to discover the charm of a countryside life.