Take a trip to the olive groves near Florence for a harvest experience that immerses you in the essence of Tuscany. Make the most of this autumnal activity, becoming an olive grower for a day, discovering all things olive oil in picturesque locations. Destination Florence has curated a pick of the producers a short distance from the city, where the secrets of this centuries-old activity are revealed.
Frantoio Buonamici
Over the course of October and November, you can handpick luscious olives in the blissful olive groves before enjoying a tasting of local products, accompanied, of course, by “liquid gold”. Experts from Frantoio Buonamici take you through each step of the process, with the tranquility of the olive groves and the view of the hills of Fiesole making the experience all the more memorable. Having toured the mill and procured the precious oil, you then pick up a picnic basket packed with typical Tuscan products for the perfect finish. More interested in purely tasting? They also organize a deep dive into five types of extra virgin olive oil, sampling them with Tuscan products and prosecco. A visit to the olive grove and mill completes the experience, and there’s even a souvenir to take home.
Fattorio di Maiano
A short distance from Florence, you can find Fattoria di Maiano, a much-loved farm where you can explore extra virgin olive oil. A guided tour takes you through each step before you put your own skills to the test, joining the ranks of olive oil connoisseurs having witnessed everything from the harvesting through to pressing. The visit is followed by a detailed tasting experience accompanied by typical Tuscan products, and entry even includes admission to the unmissable Botanic Garden for a full immersion into the farm’s bounty and beauty.
Tenuta San Donato
Nestled on a hill in Calenzano between Florence and Prato, Tenuta di San Donato dates back to the 1500s and is an important part of local agricultural history. The quality artisanal food and wine can all be sampled, learning about their two varieties of olive oil that are grown directly on the farm and pressed in the estate’s mill. The carefully curated vineyards produce IGT wines which you can enjoy along with local cured meats and cheeses, having visited both the winery and olive oil mill.
An e-bike tour in Fiesole
Discover Fiesole by taking an e-bike ride, with just you and a few others travelling around 30km to explore places like where Leonardo da Vinci lived and dreamed about human flight and where Dante fell in love with Beatrice. Whether it’s Michelangelo‘s childhood home or the monastery that’s still in use up high in the hills, you’ll soak up the panoramic views of Florence before savouring fresh bread and seasonal vegetables by local farmers, enjoying an extra virgin olive oil tasting at Giorgio’s farm with good wine.
