Exploring the charm of Croatia’s olive harvest on Solta Island can be a captivating cultural experience. This private tour offers a unique opportunity to take in the traditional olive picking process, guided by a local family. Beyond the hands-on activities, the tour also includes a delightful lunch featuring a professional olive oil tasting, as well as a visit to the Olynthia Olive Mill to learn about olive oil production. With its scenic coastal views and intimate setting, this experience promises to provide deeper insights into Croatia’s rich agricultural heritage. What intrigues you most about this olive picking adventure?

This experience made our list of the 2 Best Lunch Experiences In Dalmatia.

About Your Stay

  1. A private 5-hour olive-picking adventure on Šolta Island, including a cruise from Split, hands-on olive harvesting, and a visit to a local olive mill.

  2. Immersive experience in traditional Croatian olive harvest, learning proper techniques for picking olives and appreciating the nuances of fresh olive oil.

  3. Lunch featuring a professional olive oil tasting session, showcasing the significance of extra virgin olive oil in Croatian cuisine and culture.

  4. Exploration of Olynthia Olive Mill, observing the traditional stone mill and centrifugation process used for olive oil extraction.

  5. Private tour with a local guide, providing insights into the island’s history and natural beauty, catering to a minimum group size of 4 people.

Tour Overview

This private 5-hour olive-picking adventure on Šolta Island takes guests from Split on a cruise to the island, where they’ll participate in a traditional Croatian olive harvest with a local family.

During the harvest, guests will learn about the island’s history and inhabitants. The tour includes hands-on olive picking, a lunch featuring a professional olive oil tasting, and a visit to the Olynthia Olive Mill to observe olive pressing and extra virgin oil extraction.

The meeting point is in Rogač, and the tour starts at 12:15 PM, ending back at the same location.

Activities Included

The tour includes a hands-on olive harvesting experience, where participants can directly take part in the traditional Croatian olive picking process.

They’ll learn how to properly harvest the olives from the trees and gain insight into the island’s olive-growing heritage.

After the harvest, the group will enjoy a lunch featuring an olive oil tasting session, where they’ll discover the distinct flavors and aromas of the locally produced extra virgin olive oil.

Later, they’ll visit the Olynthia Olive Mill to observe the olive pressing and extraction of the precious oil, gaining a deeper understanding of the production process.

Tour Details

The meeting point for the tour is Obala Sv. Tereze 8 in Rogač, Croatia.

The tour starts at 12:15 PM, and you will return to the same meeting point at the end of the adventure.

The minimum age requirement is 6 years, and a vegetarian option is available upon request.

The tour lasts for approximately 5 hours and includes round-trip ferry travel from Split.

All activities, lunch, local guide, taxes, fees, and handling charges are included in the price.

Plus, electronic ferry tickets will be emailed to participants after the booking confirmation, and gratuities are also included.

Inclusions

The tour package includes round-trip ferry travel from Split, ensuring a seamless journey to and from Šolta Island.

Plus, the tour covers all activities, including:

  • Hands-on olive harvesting experience with a local family
  • Lunch featuring professional olive oil tasting techniques
  • Visit to the Olynthia Olive Mill to observe olive pressing and extra virgin oil extraction
  • Services of a local guide to provide insights into the island’s history and inhabitants

The tour also includes electronic ferry tickets emailed after booking confirmation, as well as all applicable taxes, fees, and handling charges.

Gratuities are included, eliminating the need for additional out-of-pocket expenses.

Booking Information

Pricing for the private olive picking tour on Šolta Island starts from $262.08 and varies based on group size. A minimum of 4 people per booking is required.

Clients enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts. The private tour ensures only your group will participate, providing a personalized experience.

All activities, round-trip ferry travel, lunch, local guide, taxes, fees, and handling charges are included. Electronic ferry tickets are emailed after booking confirmation.

Gratuities are also included, making this an all-inclusive package. With flexible booking options and an intimate group setting, this olive picking adventure on Šolta Island offers an unforgettable cultural experience.

Cruise to Solta Island

Clients embark on a relaxing cruise to Šolta Island, departing from the meeting point in Rogač, Croatia.

The private boat ride transports guests across the sparkling Adriatic waters to their island destination. Along the way, the knowledgeable guide shares insights about the island’s history and natural beauty:

  • Šolta is a small, picturesque island known for its olive groves and traditional way of life.

  • The island’s isolation has allowed it to preserve its authentic Croatian culture and heritage.

  • Guests glimpse stunning coastal scenery, including rugged cliffs and hidden coves, as they approach the island.

Upon arrival, clients disembark and prepare to participate in the time-honored olive harvest.

Olive Harvesting Experience

Guests enjoy the traditional olive harvest, working alongside a local Croatian family. They learn the age-old techniques of picking olives by hand, carefully selecting the ripe fruits from the trees. The fresh olive oil is then sampled, allowing participants to appreciate the nuances in flavor and aroma. Following the harvest, guests visit the Olynthia Olive Mill to observe the olive pressing and extra virgin oil extraction processes.

Activity Duration
Olive Picking 1 hour
Olive Oil Tasting 30 minutes
Olive Mill Tour 1 hour
Lunch 1.5 hours
Travel to/from Solta 1 hour

This hands-on experience provides an authentic glimpse into Croatia’s olive oil traditions.

Olive Mill Visit

After the hands-on olive harvest, the tour visits the Olynthia Olive Mill to observe the olive pressing and extra virgin oil extraction processes. Guests will witness the ancient tradition of olive oil production and learn about the mill’s sustainable practices.

The visit includes:

  • An up-close look at the traditional stone mill used to crush the olives
  • Observation of the centrifugation process that separates the oil from the crushed olive paste
  • Explanations on how olive oil quality is determined through professional tasting techniques
  • Insights into the significance of extra virgin olive oil in Croatian cuisine and culture

The olive mill visit completes the immersive olive-picking experience, providing a deeper appreciation for the island’s agricultural heritage.

Questions About Staying Here

Can I Bring My Own Equipment for the Olive Picking?

Guests are welcome to bring their own equipment for the olive picking experience. However, the tour provider can supply all necessary tools and materials for the olive harvest activity. The choice is up to the individual guest’s preference.

Do I Need to Have Any Prior Experience With Olive Harvesting?

No prior experience with olive harvesting is required. The tour guides will provide hands-on instruction and supervision throughout the traditional olive picking experience, ensuring participants of all skill levels can fully participate.

Are There Any Age Restrictions or Physical Requirements for Participants?

The tour has a minimum age of 6 years, making it suitable for families. There are no specific physical requirements, though participants should be able to comfortably participate in the olive harvesting activities.

Can I Request a Vegetarian Meal if I Have Dietary Restrictions?

Yes, vegetarian meals can be requested upon request for this tour. The tour provider offers this option to accommodate participants with dietary restrictions.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration or Add Additional Activities?

Yes, the tour can be extended or additional activities added. Guests can contact the tour provider to discuss customizing the experience to suit their preferences and needs. Flexible booking options allow for personalized tours.

Worth The Stay

This private tour offers a unique opportunity to take in Croatia’s olive-picking tradition. Visitors can cruise to Solta Island, harvest olives alongside a local family, and learn about olive oil production at the Olynthia Olive Mill. With a delightful lunch and olive oil tasting, it’s a cultural experience perfect for those seeking an authentic taste of Croatian heritage.