{"id":30270,"date":"2022-02-18T12:58:41","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T09:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/in-the-footsteps-of-an-eternal-tree-olives-and-olive-oil\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T15:46:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T12:46:59","slug":"in-the-footsteps-of-an-eternal-tree-olives-and-olive-oil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/in-the-footsteps-of-an-eternal-tree-olives-and-olive-oil\/","title":{"rendered":"In the footsteps of the immortal tree: Olives and olive oil"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A cultural heritage of thousands of years<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Olive<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The olive plant is known to have been cultivated for about 7,000 years, but its origins are believed to date from the Oligocene period, about 20 to 40 million years ago. The olive plant \u2013 its fruit, leaves and branches \u2013 is omnipresent in mythology and lore, particularly in the Mediterranean regions. One of humanity\u2019s earliest legends, the Great Flood, features the olive plant: in the biblical version, Noah dispatches birds to see if the waters have receded. When a dove finally returns, holding a branch from an olive tree in its beak, the Ark\u2019s passengers know that they can once again live upon dry land. For this reason, the olive branch came to symbolize peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Greek mythology, the goddess Athena was the guardian of the olive tree, even presenting Zeus with one of these beautiful plants. The olive tree was so important to the ancient Greeks that it was protected by law. And these are just a few of the stories about olive trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aegean Region, T\u00fcrkiye<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Olive<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Aegean Region, included among Europe\u2019s olive routes by the Council of Europe, is experiencing a golden era in olive cultivation and olive oil production in T\u00fcrkiye. Following yield declines across Europe, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s strategic importance in the global supply has grown even stronger. If you are setting out in pursuit of the olive, starting in T\u00fcrkiye is undoubtedly one of the best decisions you can make. When olives are mentioned, most people think of roughly the same geography. Thanks to its climate, the Aegean Region has become a homeland for exceptional olives and one of the places where the heart of olive culture beats strongest. The provinces with the most intensive olive production in the region are Ayd\u0131n, \u0130zmir, and Mu\u011fla, all known for their flavorful olives and high-quality olive oils. Bal\u0131kesir, whose lands span both the Marmara and Aegean regions, is also among T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s key olive-producing centers. Ayval\u0131k, a district of Bal\u0131kesir, stands out as one of the most important hubs, where olive cultivation is the dominant agricultural activity. As a result, the quality of olives and olive oil in Ayval\u0131k is truly remarkable. When planning your olive route, consider making Ayval\u0131k one of the highlights of your journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, \u0130zmir, the pearl of the Aegean, is regarded as one of the most important centers of olive and olive oil production in T\u00fcrkiye. In recent years, Urla, now included in the Michelin Guide and especially recognized for Michelin Green Star-awarded sustainable chef restaurants, has become a globally known \u201cfarm-to-table\u201d gastronomy hub. For those who wish to follow the olive trail, Urla offers an excellent starting point. By tracing the route from \u00c7e\u015fme through Urla, Seferihisar, G\u00fczelbah\u00e7e, Menderes, and Sel\u00e7uk, you can experience modern interpretations of olive oil on Michelin-starred plates and continue your olive journey through \u0130zmir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another holiday haven, Mu\u011fla plays a significant role in olive production, particularly through Milas. The olives and olive oils from Milas, which hold European Union geographical indication status, are renowned for their exceptional quality. If you wish to create an alternative travel route in Mu\u011fla, you can explore Milas, follow the olive trail, and savor dishes prepared with its distinctive olives and olive oils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mediterranean Region, T\u00fcrkiye<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The Mediterranean region is home to olive trees<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As you travel south from the Aegean toward the warm Mediterranean breezes, you encounter one of the olive\u2019s purest and oldest stories. In recent years, the Mediterranean belt has risen to prominence along T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s gastronomic routes, standing not only as a production center but almost as the \u201cgenetic memory\u201d of the olive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first stop on this route is Tarsus. Here, you are greeted by the region\u2019s endemic pride, the carefully preserved Tarsus Sar\u0131ulak olive. Its flesh is rich, its pit small, and its aroma so distinctive that a single taste of the oil it produces reminds you why it is called \u201cliquid gold.\u201d Sar\u0131ulak is not merely a food; it is a living testament to Tarsus\u2019s thousands of years of agricultural heritage. If you would like to learn more about this ancient city while you are there, you can read our article titled Tarsus: The city where legends meet culinary delights.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you continue your journey east toward Hatay, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and a legend in the culinary world, you witness how the olive becomes a way of life. The \u201cHalhal\u0131\u201d olives grown in Hatay\u2019s fertile lands and the traditionally prepared cracked olives brought to the table without chemical processing are among the most distinctive flavors of breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andalusia, Spain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Olive
Olive trees growing in Andalusia, Spain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are so many reasons to plan a vacation in Spain, but here\u2019s another: in addition to standing out for its cultural heritage and vibrant cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, Spain is also the world\u2019s leading producer of olives and olive oil.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Andalusia region of Spain is one of these olive-producing regions \u2013 in fact, it is known as the \u201cOlive Capital of the World\u201d.\u00a0 You can easily start your tour of the Andalusia region from Malaga, a historic city on the Costa del Sol, known for its gorgeous beaches.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

California, USA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Olive
Olive cultivation in California.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From the Mediterranean region, olive plants were brought to other areas of the world with similar climates. One of these is the state of California, in the United States, where olive production began in the late 18th century. To discover the story of the olive in North America, consider starting your road trip in one of the state\u2019s global hubs for summer tourism, such as\u00a0Los Angeles<\/a>\u00a0and San Francisco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beni Mellal and Agadir, Morocco<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Olive<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Back in the Mediterranean region, we come to Morocco, where olive production has constituted an important part of the economy since the Roman era. Like the Greeks, the Romans valued the olive and encouraged its cultivation in suitable areas throughout their empire, such as North Africa and southern Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are considering an olive tour in Morocco,\u00a0Marrakech<\/a>\u00a0is a great place to start. The city has two centers for olive tourism, one in the northeast and the other in the southwest. To add sea, sand, and sun to your holiday plan, you can begin in Agadir, in the southwest. If mountain air seems more appealing, Beni Mellal, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, is an ideal starting point. Both cities are about a four-hour drive from Marrakech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crete, Greece<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Olive
Olive groves in Greece.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Almost every region in Greece celebrates its olives but some stand out more than others. In terms of both production and culture, Crete is one of Greece\u2019s most significant olive centers, with a 7,000-year tradition of olive cultivation. At the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, this Greek island also offers history and beautiful nature. You can fly into Athen\u2019s Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, pick up your rental car and take the ferry to Crete. Enjoy your island road trip \u2013 along with spectacular Cretan olives and olive oil!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puglia and Tuscany, Italy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Orchards
Orchards where olives are produced in Italy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Roman Empire was influential in spreading olive cultivation throughout the Mediterranean and Europe and, of course, Italy now grows around 300,000 tons of olives annually. The country is also responsible for a quarter of the\u00a0world\u2019s\u00a0olive oil production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 70 percent of Italy\u2019s olive and olive oil production is in the Puglia region, which corresponds to the \u201cheel of the boot\u201d. You can begin your southern Italian Olive Route from Bari. Fly to Bari, pick up your rental car and get ready to discover this beautiful country from south to north \u2013 the\u00a0Tuscany<\/a>\u00a0region is known for the quality rather than the quantity of its olive production and many sources agree that the best quality olive oil is produced in the Tuscany region. While in Tuscany, you can visit Florence, the capital of the Renaissance. Olive and olive oil tasting tours are organized in both the Puglia and Tuscany regions each year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A holiday of healthy eating with the benefits of olives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Light<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Light, yet filling, olive oil dishes and salads are often recommended for a healthy diet. You can enjoy plenty of these healthy and delicious meals, while enriching your Olive Route travels with each region\u2019s natural beauties and historical and cultural sites \u2013 with Turkish Airlines Holidays.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A cultural heritage of thousands of years The olive plant is known to have been cultivated for about 7,000 years, but its origins are believed to date from the Oligocene period, about 20 to 40 million years ago. The olive plant \u2013 its fruit, leaves and branches \u2013 is omnipresent in mythology and lore, particularly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":29702,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[321,147],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-30270","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-eating-drinking","8":"category-trip-ideas"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30270"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59665,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30270\/revisions\/59665"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}