This past fall, I had the lovely opportunity to visit the Lazio province of Italy and be introduced to Emma and Scott, owners of Olive Hill Sabina. This special olive farm just outside of Rome makes for a great day trip or a weekend getaway to learn all about the process from planting to harvest.
Agri-tourism/Agriturismo is big business. More and more travelers want to have cultural and interactive experiences while they travel. Immersing yourself in nature through hiking or helping with the growing or harvesting a crop like olives or grapes (for wine) in Italy is BIG! Not only are friendships formed but in my opinion, you are now connected to others and the earth in a way that makes this kind of travel uniquely special. Popping up all over the tourism industry are opportunities to explore, learn, participate and connect.
Olive Hill Farm is a picturesque farm overlooking the Sabina hills of Italy. This farm is known for its exceptional organic-certified olive oil production. Olive Hill Sabina offers a variety of tours and tastings from Aperti-Tastings in the evening as well as morning tours on the weekends too. The tours and tastings are interactive and a lot of fun. Both, Emma and Scott are natural-born story tellers. Scott will regal you with the history and beginnings of their farm and Emma delights in sharing the agriculture, tree and olive varieties, cultivation and harvesting techniques.
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Tasting and Tour Experiences
During the tour, we explored the valley of olive trees just as the sun was setting, exquisite. Also, it was a perfect time to take a few pictures. Olive oil from this region is definitively different from other parts of Italy. The trees even look different from Northern Italy to Apulia which Jon and I visited on this trip as well. More to come soon on the boot heel of Italy visit.
After our tour of the grove, our tasting began. Over the past ten years, I have been to A LOT of olive oil tastings. Some in France, some in Slovenia, this one is definitely unique and unforgettable. I’m not going to give all the secrets away but it was fascinating and educational.
Set in their gazebo with the fading sun in the background, we enjoyed a buffet of Italian treats. From charcuterie to fava beans the endless treats are belly-filling fun.
There are several opportunities to join Emma and Scott on the farm and here are a few.
Meet the Maker – beginning in January 2024 you can meet the maker. Depending on the season, you can enjoy watching and participating in the pruning process or see the different stages of olives as they grow.
Harvest Day – is a hands-on experience in the Sabina countryside. Manual harvesting is done old school style with rakes. This process takes all day and by evening the olives are then taken to a local press, where you can see how this liquid gold is created.
Holiday Apartment/Airbnb
Want to stay a bit longer and make it an Agri-Travel Tour? Well, you can. Beginning in the spring of 2024, an holiday apartment will be available at the farm! This self-contained suite has it’s own separate entrance and private entrance.
This charmingly furnished and comfortable bedroom with en-suite bathroom would be a little Italian getaway. Tranquil and picturesque like stepping into a watercolor, uniquely Italian.
There are packages available if you would like to combine a stay with a farm experience too. Packages begin at €100 per person with double occupancy.
How to get there?
From Rome to Sabina it is about an hour by train. On the border of Lazio and Umbria, it boasts the beauty of both states. If you visit, Emma and Scott will surely share the highlights of this untapped, untouched area of Italy.
We rented a car from Rome and it is a pretty straight shot from Rome. It would also make a very easy stop on your way up to Florence, Tuscany or Venice.
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What’s close by?
My travel friend Candy has been great to introduce me to what’s around Sabina when I visit her AND here are a few places I have fallen in love with. Sacre Bosca or the Garden of Monsters and also Tivoli Gardens. Both of these are perfect day trips around the Sabina Valley as well as from Rome.
Casperia is close by and is a 13th century town only accessible by foot. These all make for great day trips but why not visit a part of Italy that is not bombarded with tourists. Italy is predicted to be the top three destinations to visit in 2024, just behind France (Paris-Olympics) and Greece (still hot!.)
Farfa Abbey
Farfa Abbey was another great visit for us and not too from from Sabina as well. We arrived during a festival and craft fair. It was some pretty Travel with Wendy luck. It was a beautiful day to walk around the Abbey and grounds. Tours are available as well.
If you are a hiker, you will be happy to know that part of Via di Francesco way (The walk of Saint Francis) is here as well. I am excited to return and complete portions of this trail, hopefully with Emma. From Florence to Rome this trail (similar to those who complete the Camino de Santiago) becomes a journey of self-discovery, faith and connection to earth and others.
A core mission for ©Travel with Wendy is supporting small businesses around the globe. I am thrilled to help Emma and Scott and to promote their olive farm and experiences in Sabina. For a Travel Planning Consultation if you are visiting Italy or any EU country, schedule a meeting with me, HERE.
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