Berry farms
Slovakia
You've probably heard of orange, tangerine, lemon or apple plantations. An alternative to forest trips is a trip to the farm Čučoriedková (Devínske jazero, 48.272253, 16.964432) in Slovakia, where blueberries (and not only) are grown and sold. A berry-picking trip will not be fruitless. Blueberries are grown here without chemistry, in the best traditions of permaculture.
Belarus
On an industrial scale, blueberry is also growing excellently in Belarus. Mark on the map: "Volvark of Royal Blueberry" (Krasny Bereg, Chervensky district, Minsk region). Those who get here will be able not only to bite off berries but also to buy seedlings, participate in master classes or even fit into the quest.
Olive farms
Cyprus
The owners of Terra Olivaoliva Farm (Issacand Solomou Road, No. 12, 7700 Pano Lefkara, Cyprus) are English who have lived in Cyprus for over 20 years. The owners will take you on a tree-lined canyon tour that ends with a tasting of everything you can make out of olives: the olives themselves in any way, butter, adjika, and even jam and jam. There are at least two reasons to visit: the still fruitful thousand-year-old olives and the stunning views around them.
Crete
In addition to the classic olive groves in Greece and Italy, the farming culture of Crete deserves special mention. Having arrived on Cretan Olive Oil Farm (Cretan Olive Oil Farm. 2nd km Agios Nikolaos - Elounda, 72100, Lassithi, East Crete), except for a tour of the plantation (for € 3 personally or for € 7 with a guide) you can spend time in local cooking, ceramics or cheese making classes. Tourist options at this farm are maximized: there are individual and group activities, and in the shop, you can buy not only edible souvenirs but, for example, natural cosmetics
Vineyards
For oenophiles, wine lovers, the protected areas are completely dependent on their preferences: not always Burgundy and Bordeaux, Tuscany or the Rhine Valley. And every region (which is not always located in the Old World) has its own suitable wineries.
Ukraine
The plantations of the Kotnar winery reaped the first fruits of fame in the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Now, excursions are carried out in the renewed production (vineyards and workshops), revealing the entire production process in stages. During the tasting, you will be offered 10 sorts of wines and traditional snacks: Transcarpathian bread, cheese, and nuts.
"Colonist" is a family winery of Plachkovs in the south of Odessa region. The vineyards grow grapes of Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, and several nutmeg varieties, and in addition to these - developed in the Tairov Institute (in Odessa region) Sukholymanskiy white and Odessa black. The holiday of young wine is celebrated here at full speed: a visiting woman will be allowed to trample grapes barefoot, taste fresh juice and young wine, and then - more seriously: ready and aged.
Shabo vineyards occupy more than 1200 hectares: at least 10 billion berries are harvested from these fields during the season. Local production is not limited to wines, but also produces vermouth, cognac, and brandy, even grape (and wheat) vodka. In 2011, the center was included in the European map of wine museums and named a cultural heritage of Europe. It is easy for a traveler to get to the territory of the active wine-making complex: you will see vaults, wine cellars, tasting halls, and other pleasures. Including the grape processing department and the elite wines department.
Sicily
Valle Dell'Acare (M. Luisa Morando, Contrada Bidini - 97011 Acate) are vineyards that are less well known than their Italian neighbors. But it is Sicilian winemaking, which is not as big and operatic as pyramids, that stands out for its quality: the beverage comes out relatively little, but winemakers put all their resources into its taste. Besides, Valle Dell'Acare is worth a visit not only for the sake of excursions and mysteries of wine preparation but because of the really idyllic landscapes.
Germany
There are 13 wine regions in Germany. Of these, Moselle, where the plantations are located on the steep mountain Kalmont, is one of the most interesting. White Riesling has become the dominant variety of berries here, making dry, semi-sweet and sparkling wines. The locals are tasting at almost every corner. A good option is the Winemaker J. Koll & Cie winery (Ravenéstraße 35, D-56812 Cochem), where you will be served with quality wines at a reasonable price. Moselle is also good because, apart from tasting, there are many options for active recreation - wandering the hills, hiking trails and getting to know the history.
Greece (Santorini)
Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museumsantorini (Wine Museum Koutsoyannopoulos, Vothonas, Santori) is located on the Greek island of Santorini underground, in a natural cave. It is a place with a long history. Here, in the labyrinth at a depth of 8 meters, collected artifacts and wine traditions that have appeared on Santorini since 1660: tools, machines, vessels. A tasting of the four best local wines at the end of the tour.
to be continued in the next part...