Messolonghi – Olive Picking

Breakfast at the hotel and then hit the road to Delphi to consult the Oracle about our important life and photographic decisions! For the Ancient Greeks, Delphi was considered the centre of the world represented by the stone monument known as the Omphalos of Delphi. The stunning scenery around Mount Parnassos makes for the perfect location for some landscape photography and the archaeological site is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Lunch at Nafpaktos on the way to Messolonghi.

Check into the hotel and settle in.

Dinner will be taken together in town.

In the morning we will be taking a boat trip to explore the lagoons that dominate the landscape and are such an integral part of life here. This is a chance to photograph the incredibly diverse bird life that inhabits the area, and to see the lagoons from the perspective of the fishermen who have worked these waters for countless generations.

Returning to Messolonghi for lunch.

In the afternoon we will be changing our mode of transport and renting bicycles to ride out to the island of Tourlida to photograph the traditional wooden fishermen’s houses called pellades at sunset which stand up on stilts above the surface of the water.

Then onto the Chalazias family olive production plant to see how the olives are separated and prepared for their journey to the press.

We take a trip up to the olive groves to photograph the olives being picked and the views down to the salt mines.

We then head to the local olive presses to document the transformation of the olives into oil.

We take a drive along a beautiful scenic route that includes the archaeological site at Plevrona. On a hill on the northwest side of Messolonghi a big part of the 3-kilometre long walls of Ancient Plevrona are still kept in a very good condition. And specifically, the New Ancient Plevrona also known as Castle of Kira Rini (Lady Rini). In this impressive archaeological site you will have the chance to see a huge, natural 6-metre tall stone tank, part of the market, the ancient road and a wonderful ancient theatre with great panoramic views of the sea on the west of Messolonghi.

We will see the island of Aetoliko. This tiny land mass is one of the most densely populated areas of Greece with a maze of ramshackle streets and houses to photograph and plenty of local life.

Afterwards we’ll visit the salt-flats or “alykes”. These are the largest salt-pans in operation in Greece. Salt has played a crucial role in the history of civilisation and in Greece. In fact, in ancient Greece it was used as a commodity for trading slaves. It is said that the time held expression of “not worth his salt” came from this practice. Also, in ancient times, most civilisations were accompanied by myths, religious and magic rites involving salt and Greece was no exception. With tales of its usage during sacrifices and religious rituals, the history of salt is as exotic as is the amazing alykes, or salt-marsh gardens that extend for miles on end in Messolonghi, Greece.

After dinner there will be a photo critique to give everyone a chance to get personalised feedback on their photographic results so far and to set some homework to do too!

Road trip to the traditional village of Katochi where we will admire the banks of the river Acheloos and then head into the wild and rugged landscape of Dioni in the far Western Greece. Stopping on the way to visit our friend Christos to get a glimpse into traditional life in a pellades complete with traditional Greek hospitality.

After lunch we head back to Athens.

Goodbye dinner at the hotel and some free time in Athens for those that want to have a final wander.

Final goodbyes and flights home.