Have you ever wondered how those small black fruit found in such abundance on the hillsides of Corfu become the fabulous olive oil that makes Greek cuisine so tantalising to the taste buds?

They are left to fall from the trees, into the black nets that you will see lain beneath most of the 3 million trees on the island. The nets are then pulled using a special long handled hook, rolling the fruits into piles, from where they are collected by hand. They are then sifted, sorted and taken to the press where they are processed and turned into the golden nectar that is sought by some of the world's best chefs.

But don't just take our word for it, although harvesting olives every day can be a back-breaking business as a one off experience it is well worth trying your hand at.

Subject to weather conditions and the strength of the olive harvest we are able to organise a day in the olive groves for groups of up to 6 people. Accompanied by a local olive farmer you will be taken to the olive groves owned by his family for generations. There he will teach you the art (for there is indeed an art to it) of gathering the olives. Don't worry though, you won't be expected to spend a long day on the harvest, nor heave the heavy sacks around unless of course you want to! Your trip will also include a visit to a local olive press so that you can see the oil making process in action.

Included is: