Harvesting of olives, ancient rituals, contemporary wellness

A deep rooted tradition renewed yearly, one of those habits that for some hour or some day can transport every-day problems elsewhere bringing back that harmony of body and soul so vital for the balance and to face the coming week with strenght and wit.

In some areas in Italy, more than a tradition, it's about a rustic rite, with songs and dances, a rite recreated during the centuries that can be traced back to ancient peoples living in the provinces of Italian oil.

Oil is one of the cornerstones of Mediterranean cuisine and in the course of time the hydrating  and nourishing qualities of this precious element of the Earth were discovered also for the cosmetic sector.

But oil is not only a great element, a miracle of nature with many beneficial qualities, and we'll write about it in the next posts, is also the main ingredient for something that is finding its way as a trend of ecosustainable tourism: weekends dedicated to the harvesting of olives, a moment to regain the mind-and-body balance and the relationship with our deeper roots.

During oil weekends the day begins with a short energizing massage to immerse the body in PDO extra-virgin-olive-oil based oils and greams to eliminate the muscles tensions, and warm the body with exercises of yoga, pilates, stretching and a brief meditation that helps to purify the chakras, especially the ones more deeply connected to the roots, namely the firs, the second and the third. Light breakfast with natural bio high-proteine food, season's fruit harvested the very same morning, juices, home made organic jams and marmelades, energising and purifying teas to eliminate the toxins stockpiled during the week. Deep breathing in the olive tree grove to connect to the elements of nature.

And let's start the harvesting paying attention to each and every element, considering them integral parts of a deep meditation. The relationship with the group is really important, everything begins while spreading the sheets. While proceeding you get completely immersed in the olive tree grove harmony and repeating ancient gestures we forget bad moods, stress, nervosism.  

Lunch time is a moment to enjoy conviviality that generally takes the shape of two BBQs, one meat-based with local products and bruschetta, and another one with seitan, vegetables, bruschetta  and 0miles dairies, everything sprinkled with local wine, herbal teas, mineral and thermal drinking waters.

A brief meditation before the end of the day, bringing back all the tools and getting ready for the tea-time, 'merenda' in Italian, with just out of the oven PDO-extra-virgin-olive-oil-based cakes, fruit, jams, herbal teas, bruschette with oils spiced with products of the Earth hand crafted in the full respect of nature.

Regenerating, aromatherapy shower, yoga, massage with warm oils and thermal creams that join the Ayurvedic science with the pre-roman people's traditions. The dinner is vegetarian and mainly with local products, respecting the environment and the traditions.

The evening, in the 'strade dell'olio', it's time for games, with dance and music jam sessions, D&D, readings and jousts.


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