Start your small group tour at the arranged meeting point: the magnificent 13th century castle of Androusa, located in the heart of Messinia, just a 20 minute drive from Kalamata and 10 minutes from Ancient Messene. Begin with beautiful olive walks to provide as an overview of the amazing olive groves of Messinia. Witness the olive trees as the guide tells you about the history, the tradition, and the mythical stories of the castle olive trees. The olive grove is the next visit. Walk though the groves and marvel the perennial olive trees. Learn about the different varieties of olive trees in the area and discover the story of the Messinian land as recorded on the stems. In the center of Androusa Village, visit a unique olive oil press and mill, located there for more than 120 years. The fifth generation owner will explain the procedure of extraction, the storage, and standardization process of extra virgin olive oil. Next, join a tasting session, where a dining table is filled with the special blue olive oil tasting glasses ready for you to try. Taste the extra virgin olive oil of 'Koroneiki' variety and learn about its organoleptic characteristics. Learn to recognize the elements that define the extra virgin olive oil. Taste different varieties of Greek extra virgin olive oil, such us 'Manaki', 'Xalkidikis', 'Mavroelia', and evaluate their flavours. What about food? The extra virgin olive oil of different varieties is matched with traditional recipes including fruit, gourmet small dishes, as well as tzatziki, kalamata olives, olive paste, lalagia, pasto (smoked ham) and local cheeses. Enjoy a unique experience in the historic olive groves, and learn about the history, the soul, the tradition, and the gastronomy of Messinia.

Be accompanied by a local Greek guide to visit several food shops. Meet and speak with local shop owners and have the opportunity to taste traditional food and learn about the Greek food culture.  Listen to Greek myths and stories about food that will deepen your knowledge about this beautiful country. Taste food ranging from bread products, olives, pies, meat products, to sweets. Enjoy your lunch at a local souvlaki restaurant.

You will visit one of the most beautiful coastal cities of the Peloponnese: Kalamata, in Messinia region. The olive oil tour and tasting experience is available all year round either in the mornings or in the afternoons. The Olive oil Experience If you want to get to know all about the unique features of olive oil or simply wonder what an olive-oil tasting seminar involves, this activity is right up your alley! Part 1: Olive grove & Visit at an Olive oil Mill Olive grove (available all year round) You’ll walk through the perennial olive trees and experience a 30' relaxing stroll through an olive grove located just 10' away from Kalamata. During your walk, you’ll get acquainted with different varieties of olive trees in all shapes and of all ages and learn the history of the olive tree and the olive oil from the Neolithic era until today! Olive oil mill (depending on season & availability - From March to October) You will learn all about the extraction process, from the olive grove to bottling and if it is the olive harvesting season, you’ll get to taste fresh and warm extra virgin olive oil, during our olive oil tasting! Part 2: Olive Oil tasting experience Along with our professional and certified olive oil expert, you’ll learn about the queen of Greek olive-oil varieties, Koroneiki, as well as other just as superb Greek olive oils. You’ll discover their key aromas, flavours and tastes, and will learn which olive-oil variety to pair with your favourite food. Part 3: Light or Full lunch (upon request & at an extra charge) If you wish to conclude your olive oil experience with a delicious light or full lunch, full of Messinian flavours, in one of the most welcoming Coffee Shop-Cum-Ouzo Taverns in the heart of Kalamata’s historic centre, just let us know and we can arrange it for you!

Join us for a wonderful journey through space and time, where legends come to life and become a game, weaving the marvellous history of Kalamata in Messinia region. Where You’ll stroll around one of the most beautiful coastal cities of the Peloponnese: Kalamata. Our journey through time starts from Homer and the heroes of the Iliad. It then continues on to the Byzantine years with the Franks, the Venetians and the Turks, reaching all the way up to the 19th and 20th century, when Kalamata was reborn through the ashes and transformed into the beautiful modern city it is today. The Walking tour experience Put on your walking shoes and enjoy a beautiful stroll through the streets of Kalamata! Meeting Point Maria, our passionate food lover and local host, will be waiting for you at the beautiful central square of Kalamata, Vasileos Geogiou Square, (Πλατεία Βασιλέως Γεωργίου) in front of the Statues (Agalmata) of the Messinian war Heroes of 1821. What you’ll discover After a warm welcome, you’ll set off on your walking experience and together we’ll discover some of the more interesting sights. You’ll not just find out all about their history, but also about the people of the time, their way of life and funny stories about their day-to-day routine. Some of the Walking Tour highlights: •Cultural Centre – Nikolaos and Regina Pantazopoulou Neoclassical Building •General State Archives Building •Church of Agios Nikolaos •19th century Classical and Neoclassical Buildings •Mavromichali Square •Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek Traditional Costumes Museum •Frangolimna Square •Old Karelia Tobacco Factory •Upper Square / Church of Presentation of Jesus (Ypapanti tou Sotiros) •St. Constantine and Helen Convent •The area around Kalamata's Frankish Castle •Archaeological Museum •Amfeia Square or Paplomatadika (Quilt Makers) •Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles •Othonos Square •Varvoutsis and Lontos Galleries The leisurely stroll continues around the small alleys of the city and walk around the sights that interest you. Half-way through the tour, you might feel a bit peckish, so stopping at a small traditional shop for a few minutes is a must! It’s the ideal way to get to know the rich culinary tradition of this area, tasting one of its local delicacies. During our walking tour, you’ll have time to do some shopping and at the end you may wish to enjoy a mouthwatering local lunch in one of the cosiest Coffee Shop-Cum-Ouzo taverns in Kalamata. Why tour with a local Visiting a new place is always a unique and beautiful experience. You usually visit museums, marvel at monuments and the sights, go shopping around the main streets and maybe watch the people go by. How would you feel if you were able to discover the old, hidden stories behind everything you see? Or if you found out about true stories of love and betrayal that have become novels? If you have a local walking next to you, you’ll get to do all that and so much more!

A 3-hour olive oil tour and tasting experience that includes a visit of a small village, a walk through an olive grove and an olive oil tasting workshop. Where Join us for a 3-hour tour of the wonderful land of Messinia and its perennial olive trees. You will visit an olive grove located in a small village 50km (31 mi) from Kalamatai n Messinia region, Peloponnese, towards Pylos coastal town, just 10' away from Costa Navarino resort. The Olive oil experience The Olive oil tour and tasting experience is the outcome of a local couple for olive oil, nature and the land of Messinia. Their dreams found a home in a small village in Messinia, in their olive grove and the flavour of extra virgin olive oil. Nowadays, their mission is to introduce visitors to the wonderful world of olive oil and help them get a taste of Messinia. Part 1: Arrival at the grove - Warm welcome Visit a beautiful olive grove of a small village, located in the west of Messinia, just 10 minutes away from Costa Navarino Bay and Nestor’s Palace. It is the ideal backdrop to unravel the history, tradition and ancient myths of this historical place. The owners will welcome you with a homemade Greek local breakfast while the olive experience is enriched with a video presentation about the history of olive and olive oil! Part 2: Olive Harvest or Olive Grove Olive harvest (available only in October) – You’ll walk through the olive trees and meet local families as they harvest their own trees. You’ll enjoy the experience of a lifetime either by handpicking olives and placing them directly in a basket or by picking them using a net. Olive grove( April - October) – Experience a guided 30-minute relaxing stroll by the locals through perennial olive trees. During your walk, you’ll get acquainted with different varieties of olive trees in all shapes and of all ages. Part 3: Olive Oil Tasting (April - October) What follows is an interactive olive oil tasting workshop by an olive oil lover! The tasting session includes 3 different varieties of extra virgin olive oil, focusing on sensory tasting, defects and positive traits. Part 4: Light local lunch Get a taste of traditional, local food, such as lalagia (savoury or sweet looped ribbons of dough), pasto (cured pork), Kalamata olives, local cheese and enjoy a homemade local lunch!

You will visit an Organic Farm located in a very small village, 150km (90 mi) from Kalamata in Laconia region towards to Sparta. The Organic Farm produces the olive oil and wine, strictly through sustainable farming practices and techniques. It also operates as a retreat, offering unique experiences, close to nature. Part 1: Tour of the Vineyards & Olive Groves Take a majestic stroll through the vineyards and the olive grove. Some of the olive trees have been standing on this land for more than 500 years! You’ll also discover the history and the mentality behind organic farming. The tour of the vineyards is only available May to September. Part 2: Olive Oil Tasting Discover the rich taste and texture of fresh, extra virgin olive oil and the Greek olive varieties. This unique olive oil experience will teach you how to distinguish among the various olive oil varieties and choose the best one for your cooking or your dinner table. You’ll also get tips from our resident experts on how to best store your olive oil. Part 3: Wine Tasting & light lunch You’ll get to taste 4-5 different labels of natural Greek wines: Agiorgitiko, Avgoustiatis, Athyri, Kydonitsa and Moschofilero. Our wine sommelier will guide you through the whole experience and introduce to you to the magnificent world of organic wines. Discover varieties unknown outside of Greece and embark on a beautiful journey through the unique Greek terroir. A light lunch with local delicacies will accompany your wine tasting. Extra Experiences (upon request & at an extra charge) Depending on availability and provided time permits, you may participate in extra experiences upon request. Visit to the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta Take a tour in the modern Museum and learn everything about the history of Olive oil and olives from antiquity until today!

A 3-hour wine tour experience of a winery in a small village of located 35 km (24 mi) and 30' from Kalamata, in Messinia region, in Peloponnese. Passed down from father to son, this family-owned business has stayed true to tradition, with minimum intervention, to ensure quality grapes and wine. Cultivating Greek and European grape varieties, the winery produces some of the best local vintages you’ll have the chance to enjoy. Where You’ll visit a family-owned winery located in a small village in Messinia region, just 35 km (24 mi) outside of Kalamata. The private vineyards occupy an area of around 15 acres and produce 5 varieties: Roditis, Carignan, Tempranillo, Merlot and Chardonnay. The vineyards were first cultivated in the 1980s and wine production started in the mid-2010s. When • The wine tour and tasting experience is available all-year round, apart from Sundays, public holidays and during grape harvesting. • The grape-harvesting season varies from year to year, but usually takes place sometime between the end of August and the beginning of October. The Wine experience Join us for a 3-hour wine experience tour of a family winery in Messinia. Part 1: Tour of the Vineyards Enjoy a one hour stroll through the vineyards, weather permitting. The owners, Vasilis and Maria, will talk to you about the area’s microclimate and the 5 varieties of grapes grown onsite, some of them since the 1980s. Uncover the secrets of Greek variety Roditis, French varieties Chardonnay and Merlot, and Spanish varieties Carignan and Tempranillo. Part 2: Visit and tour of the Winery During the tour of the winery, you’ll find out all about the wine-making process. Vasilis and Maria will take you through all the stages, from grape harvesting, to vinification and bottling. Part 3: Wine Tasting experience Enjoy the entire range of wines during a 1-hour wine tasting experience. You’ll get to taste 5-7 wine labels. The wine tasting may be paired with local products, such as cheese and cold cut platters, bruschettas with olive paste and Messinian sausages with orange, and lalagia (savoury looped ribbons of dough). Part 4: Light or Full lunch (upon request) If you wish to conclude your wine tasting experience with a delicious light or full lunch, full of Messinian flavours, in one of the most welcoming Coffee Shop-Cum-Ouzo Taverns in the heart of Kalamata’s historic centre, just let us know and we can arrange it for you!

Let your senses guide you through a winery counting nearly 40 years of wine-making tradition! A 3-hour guided wine experience from the locals that includes a tour in the vineyards and the winery, the cellars and a wonderful wine tasting! A visit to Kapsia Cave, one of the top ten Greek caves upgrades the whole wine experience depending on the season. Visit the first certified winery in Arcadia region in Peloponnese to open to the public, taste award-winning wines and discover the secrets of the Greek wine-making tradition. You will visit a local Estate and an organic winery located at a small village at the foot of Mt Mainalo, located in Arcadia region in Peloponnese, 100 km (60 mi) from Kalamata. The Estate is a family business, with a wine-making tradition that goes back nearly 40 years. The private vineyards occupy an area of around 30 acres and produce 3 varieties: Moschofilero, Cabernet and Merlot. The local family use organic methods to produce all their wines, with natural vinification. Part 1: Tour of the Vineyards (May - November) Enjoy a tour of the vineyards and find out all about the history and philosophy of organic farming. This part of the experience is only available from May to November. Part 2: Grape Harvesting (depending on availability - September & October) Get a first-hand look at the harvesting of organic grapes, straight from the vineyards. Find out all the secrets of traditional winemaking from the local experts. Part 3: Tour of the Cellars Take a tour of the wine cellars and discover all the different wine varieties of the beautiful winery! Part 4: Wine Tasting Get a taste of the Estate's entire wine range. Immerse yourself in the deep flavours and rich aromas of the 5-7 different wine labels. Part 5: Petimezi Tasting Discover the flavoursome and aromatic petimezi (boiled grape must). At the Estate, this traditional Greek product and superfood is produced from organic grapes. Part 6: Full local Lunch at a village tavern (upon request & at an extra charge) What could be better than conclude your exciting wine experience with a delicious homemade food that includes mouthwatering appetizers, such as traditional pies with eggs, wild greens, Greek salad and local cheeses? This is followed by a choice of pork cooked in egg-lemon sauce, beef in red sauce served with homemade pasta or oven-baked lamb with potatoes or similar dishes. For dessert, there’s traditional walnut pie with ice cream! Vegan and vegetarian dishes are also available.

Discover the richness and inventiveness of Greek cuisine! You will visit the historic centre of one of the most beautiful coastal cities of the Peloponnese: Kalamata, in Messinia region. The place is known for its exquisite olive oil and its world-famous black Kalamata olives. However, the city has so much more to offer and this tour will help you uncover its hidden gems. Visit local family-owned food and pastry shops, learn old stories and feel the authenticity of the locals. Part 1: Visit to Traditional Workshop and tasting of Local Home-made products Many times, you can find the tastiest local products in the most unlikely places of a town you visit, where you’d never think to look. Together we’ll discover a traditional Workshop, literally hidden in the tiny alleys of the city. The local women working at the Workshop will show how to make one of the oldest delicacies of Messinia and Mani, using the simplest of ingredients, flour and olive oil. And while enjoying this staple of the Spartan warriors and satisfying your sweet tooth in the healthiest of manners, you’ll also learn about its long history and inextricable link to the local tradition. Part 2: Tasting of Spoon Sweets, Corinthian Raisins and Healthy Local Delicacies Upon entering the shop, the aroma of the exquisite herbs and spices wafting through the air will transport you to the top of Mt. Taygetos, the local mountain. You’ll get to taste homemade glyka tou koutaliou (spoon sweets), black Korinthian raisins and other products of the Messinian and Greek land, discovering their nutritional value and their importance in a well-balanced diet. Part 3: Greek Coffee Tasting at Local Coffee Grinding Shop It’s time for your morning coffee! And what’s better than a hot traditional Greek coffee prepared by Giorgos, who’ll reveal the secrets to its proper preparation. You’ll find out all about the origins of this type of coffee, how it got its name and how it has become a part of the Greek tradition and temperament. Part 4: Tasting of Local Appetizers at a Traditional Greek Coffee Shop-Cum-Ouzo Tavern Right in the heart of the city, under the shadow of an age-old plane tree, flavoursome Messinian appetizers - mezedes are waiting for you to discover them. Part 5: Visit to an Olive Oil Shop & short Olive oil tasting You’ll find out all about the Koroneiki variety and its unique features, and will taste different quality olive oils. Part 6: Visit to a Shop with Local Wines & Traditional Spirits Find out all the local varieties, including Fokiano, Roditis, Malaguzia and Moschofilero, as well as how they are combined with foreign varieties to produce excellent white, rose and red wines through a short wine tasting along with Mr. Giannis! Part 7: Light Lunch with Mediterranean or Messinian Dishes and Local Wines A light yet filling lunch will conclude your gastronomic experience and spoil your senses, in one of the cosiest Coffee Shop-Cum-Ouzo Taverns in the heart of the city.