We cordially invite you to take part in our cheerful olive harvest in the picturesque Peli Kastri in southern Pelion!
Our olive harvest is not a typical retreat, instead it’s all about community, olive oil and exuberant celebrations. Our olives are harvested by hand and have to go to the mill on the same day because this is the only way to get the best oil from the olives. That’s why we all have to work together from October to January and every extra pair of hands is welcome. Work and celebration are inextricably linked for us. And don’t worry – there’s no shortage of relaxation.
What can you expect?
Happy olive harvest: Learn why it is important to harvest the olives quickly and help us to pick only the green olives from the tree – no fallen or red olives, we leave them for the birds. (You can help every day, weather permitting, but of course it is not mandatory)
Celebrate and enjoy: Experience our traditional harvest celebrations, including music and singing. We will have lunch in the middle of the olive grove, as has been done here for centuries.
Exciting excursions: Visit the oil mill with us and learn about the entire process of oil production, wine tasting at a local winemaker, walk with us over the Kalderimis to lonely bays (with a bit of luck we can still swim) and fascinating views.
Tree christening: You have the opportunity to choose a tree and adopt it for 1 year. Make your own name tag and hang it on the tree. If you wish, we can support you with your very own “christening ceremony”. More here.
Greek specialities cooking class: Get to know traditional Greek cuisine properly and, if you like, even learn to cook it yourself. (At the end, of course, we’ll all enjoy the meal we’ve cooked together over dinner.)
Introduction and organisation: On the first evening we discuss everything important – how to harvest the olives correctly and which tasks are to be distributed.
Child-friendly: Bring your children, the more the merrier.
Olive oil: By taking part, you’ll naturally secure a share of the harvest at a special price. Your olive oil (the quantity will be determined once the harvest is in) will be delivered to you fresh from March 2027.
SPECIAL Vipassana harvest: Combine the silence and insights of Vipassana meditation with the grounding, sensual experience of the olive harvest. Away from all the hustle and bustle, we create a space of peace and concentration. Experience how mindful work in nature itself becomes meditation and leads you to deep inner clarity and regeneration. Along the way, you will learn to recognize the taste and high quality of olive oil for yourself. (bookable)
What to bring with you: Work gloves/gardening gloves (we have some of course, but it’s more comfortable if they fit really well) and sturdy shoes
The exact program will be discussed with the group on site and is somewhat dependent on the weather.
Course management
Michael Haid, Elisabeth und Peter Riedl
Registration:
Please register in advance (see right). If you would like to help out a little but don’t want to take part in all the activities, you are cordially invited to join us on the first evening for the introduction and allocation.
If you are making a last-minute booking that does not require a room, please email olive@pelikastri.com by 10 October at the latest. Subject: “Happy harvest”.
We look forward to spending a wonderful time with you at the olive harvest and introducing you to the fascinating world of olives.
More about our olive oil and our vision: https://shop.pelikastri.com/
Course language
German, Greek, English, etc. during the olive harvest we all talk at the same time and laughter is universally understandable
Good to know:
The week only takes place if the group has at least 4 participants.
