Olive Oil Camp

Olives, olives, olives… We have been gifted the use of 200 olive trees to harvest and produce the oil which we can then sell. Our kindest donation yet. A true back to mother earth experience, done the old way. Large canvases are thrown on the ground around each tree. The trees themselves are then shaken to commence the dropping of the olives onto canvases. At the same time, the trees need to be climbed and olives picked. The canvas is gathered and the olives put into large containers to be taken to the oil press in the village.

It is physical work but the weather is usually pleasant at this time of year. We suggest that people are fairly fit, and have no major health concerns. Please bring clothing suitable to work in, and sunscreen. When we are finished you get to take 5 litres of olive oil with you, with a personal label — something for you to enjoy when you are back home. Please know that 10% of what we sell will go back to Cimavita to help support our local communities. We joyously provide three meals a day, made by women from the area, with wines of the region served under the olive trees themselves.

We are rustic, but comfortable and clean. Shared accommodation in local homes — there is always someone nearby fluent in English. The evenings are your own after our communal meals. We do however also offer an evening firepit conversation area, where we melt into a community and are happy for people to bring up conversations they wish to open up about to a new community. Reminiscent of intellectual salons of the past.

Quality olive oil is usually produced in October, from the middle to the end of the month. Farmers confirm harvest dates each August. As a guideline we suggest a stay with us of 7 days, from October 19, and again a second commencement from October 26th.

Coming to Bagnoli del Trigno

• From Rome — Head to Tiburtina train station and take the train or bus to Isernia, from where we will pick you up.
• From Naples — We can arrange pick-up; however, we will have to add a fee, as it is about a three-hour return journey.

Come with clothing suitable to work in, as well as sunscreen. This is a chance to have a true rural experience, learning from locals about the traditional love of olives and their harvesting. It will be the best time to learn all about the beauty of the olive, in all aspects from tree to the oil on your table.