Olive Route

The Olive. The food most closely associated with Western European civilization. Olive oil. One of the most important ingredients in European cuisine and the Christian religion. The Olive branch. A symbol of peace. The Olive Route. An educational journey through some of the world’s best olive producing regions, exploring the different cultures in Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal: from ancient Greek civilization to modern Italian chic; from the French ‘Je ne sais quoi’ to Spain’s distinctive Basque and Galacian languages and Portugal’s regional folklore. The Olive Route will offer its participants the opportunity to sample some of the world’s great cuisines and to encounter some of the planet’s most enchanting peoples and their histories.

The adventure begins with a ferry ride to the mountainous Peloponnese region, home to the ancient Greek Gods, and continues with another trip across the Adriatic Sea to Italy’s southern ‘Boot’. From here the riders spin north through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, sprinkled with historic Roman ruins and charming rural villages. The route continues through the French Alps to the culinary capital of Lyon and on through the famous vineyards of Bordeaux. Heading south along the Atlantic, the cyclists will marvel at the rugged northern Spanish coast and feast on Basque tapas before exploring magical Santiago del Compostela. Finally, the road leads them to the finish line in captivating Lisbon, Portugal’s historic capital.

Highlights

• Mount Olympia
• Roman Temples
• French & Italian Vineyards
• Basque Culture