AN OLIVE ODYSSEY. 28 - 31.10.2011
Join us for a weekend of winter sunshine in Mallorca exploring the olive groves, taking part in the production and enjoying the fruit of the olive and its golden juice, the “oli d’oliva verge”, that play such an important part in the history and economy of this magical island.
Friday: Arrive and “Welcome Dinner” at Ca’n Reus (with dishes
prepared with the best olive oils of the Soller Valley).
Saturday
Morning: After the famous (very substantial and varied) Ca’n Reus
breakfast, we stroll down to the neighbouring village of
Biniaraix and to the six hundred year old olive farm at
Ca’n Det. First, we pick the olives (four kilos are needed to
produce a litre bottle!), throw them into the 15th century
press, retire for a typical Mallorquin workers’ lunch in the
barn nextdoor – P’amboli (crusty peasant bread smeared
with garlic, olive oil and tomato and topped with cheese
and smoked ham) and then collect the litre bottle of olive
oil made from the olives we have picked.
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Afternoon: After a siesta and change of clothes, we make our way
down to Palma (transport provided) and to the cooking
school of the island’s Michelin star chef, Marc Fosh,
where we learn how to maximise the use of virgin olive
oil in our cooking. (His olive oil based chocolate mousse
is to die for!) We eat what he cooks!
Transport provided back to Fornalutx
Evening: Classical concert by pianist, Philip Lange, returning to
Ca’n Reus, by popular demand, for his eighth annual
Concert here. The recital will include works by Chopin
And Schubert.
Sunday: A one and half hour walk downhill through some of the
most ancient and spectacular olive trees in the valley to
lunch with Maria and Guillermo at their 17th century
farmhouse, Balitx d’Avall. Sunday lunch will include
roast lamb and Mallorquin specialties such as suckling
pig and rabbit with onion. After lunch, relax with a coffee
or explore their 13th century tower, the chapel, the ancient
olive press and Guillermo’s eccentric art collection before
walking back to Fornalutx.
(Transport provided for those who would rather not.)
Evening: A tapas supper at Ca’n Reus
Cost: 529 euros per couple; 400 euros individual.
25 euros extra per night for a room with mountain view.
Additional nights: 100 euros per double room (25 euros extra
for room with mountain view); 60 per single.
2012 SOLLER VALLEY EXPERIENCE - OLIVE ODYSSEY WEEKEND
AND VILLAGE ANIMAL FESTIVAL. 13,14 & 15th JANUARY.
In anticipation of another glorious January, Ca’n Reus invites you to
join us for the following…..
Friday, January 13th: Village BBQ in the square
Saturday, January 14th
Morning: After the famous (very substantial and varied) Ca’n Reus
breakfast, we stroll down to the neighbouring village of
Biniaraix and to the six hundred year old olive farm at
Ca’n Det. First, we pick the olives (six kilos are needed to
produce a litre bottle!), throw them into the 15th century
press, retire for a typical Mallorquin workers’ lunch in the
barn nextdoor – P’amboli (crusty peasant bread smeared
with garlic, olive oil and tomato and topped with cheese
and smoked ham) and then collect the litre bottle of olive
oil made from the olives we have picked!
Afternoon: Time to get out of your olive picker’s gear and smarten up
to go for the 30 minute trip by road to Palma for an Olive
Oil Cookery Class with the team of Michelin Star chef
Marc Fosh. (Recipes include chocolate olive oil ice cream
– smooth, silky and unbelievably delicious)
Evening: free to either eat in Palma or back in the Soller valley.
Sunday, January 15th:
11.00 a.m. : Festival of San Antonio – the blessing of the village animals. An exciting
and heartwarming spectacle as grandfathers steer ponies and traps through
the village, filled with excited grandchildren, young bucks gallop over the
cobbled streets and the rest of us bring our cats, dogs and birdcages to be
blessed by the village priest. (If you do not have a live animal handy, you
can bring your favourite soft toy. He
she will also get a blessing!)
12.00 a.m. A one and half hour walk downhill through some of the most ancient and
spectacular olive trees in the valley to lunch with Maria and Guillermo at
their 17th century farmhouse, Balitx d’Avall. Sunday lunch will be either
roast home grown goat or another Mallorquin speciality, rabbit with onion.
Explore their 13th century tower, the chapel, the ancient olive press and
Guillermo’s eccentric art collection before walking back to Fornalutx.
(Transport provided for those who would rather not.)
Evening: A tapas supper at Ca’n Reus
Cost: 499 euros per couple; 400 euros individual.
25 euros extra per night for a room with mountain view.
Additional nights: 100 euros per double room (25 euros extra
for room with mountain view); 60 per single.