orchards

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Fruit Focus: 8 Interesting facts about Lemons

Keeping with our lemon theme for the week we have selected the top 8 interesting facts and uses for lemons that we could find. From cleaning with lemon juice to bleaching our hair blond, lemon is one hell of a versatile fruit.

We know that thousands of people flock to Menton in France every spring to celebrate the lemon at Fete du Citron but what other unique facts about lemons should we be aware of:

  • Did you know that Lemon trees can product up to 600 pounds of lemons per year
  • A few drops of lemon juice scattered over other fruits can prevent them from turning brown, keeping your fruit fresher for longer.
  • Women used lemon juice to make their lips red during the renaissance and squeeze it into their hair it blond in the Italian sunshine.
  • Lemon trees were a sign of prestige in Victorian times and would be a staple in wealthy Victorian homes.
  • During the Gold Rush in the 1840’s lemons and other citrus fruits were used to combat scurvy.
  • Lemon juice and rind is often used as an alternative product for cleaning surfaces.
  • If you slice up a lemon and leave it in a bowl in the fridge you can get rid of unwanted smells. If used correctly it can whiten and remove stains.
  • In Ayurveda practice it is common to drinking a glass of warm water with lemon in the morning.

If you have anymore interesting lemon facts to share we would love to hear your thoughts.

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4 Unforgettable Orchard Experiences

Make 2019 your year to travel with a purpose and get back to nature. With so many different orchard experiences, picking one is a hard task! Sip the sweet wines of the Douro Valley, marvel at the grape filled fields of Burgundy, take a romantic trip through the heart of Italy or sample the olive harvest in Greece.

The world is your oyster, all you need to do is take the first step.  Whatever orchard experience you choose make it one to remember. There are four amazing orchard experiences to inspire your next adventure:

JOIN THE OLIVE HARVEST IN GREECE – 6 NIGHTS

This year round sunny destination will leave you with life long memories. Spend your days picking olives, learning about the local culture and getting to grips with the harvest season. Spend your weekends on the sandy beaches diving into the turquiose waters. This incredible tour is a nature lovers dream. With whitewashed villages to stroll around and so many ancient ruins to discover, Greece is the perfect place to catch up on some well needed Vitamin D. Famous local dishes of moussaka and souvlaki will leave your mouth watering and don’t forget to try the tasty dessert of Baklava.

From the moment you arrive your host will teach you the tricks of the olive trade. You will learn how olives are harvested and turned into the most delicious oils. This farm to table orchard experience is one for the bucketlist.

More details: Olive Harvest Tours

DISCOVER THE DELIGHTS OF THE DOURO VALLEY – 2 NIGHTS

Renowned worldwide for it’s terraced vineyards, the Douro Valley is a delight for the senses. Find yourself in one of Europe’s most treasured regions. On this tour you will have the opportunity to sample the grapes, pick the grapes and learn about the unique Portuguese wines on offer.  

This is a land of fascinating wild landscapes and spectacular views from the mountain tops. This short tour packs every detail in so you get a true taste of life in the Douro. Our expert guides will take you on a delicious journey of discovery. From meeting with the olive oil producers to participating in the harvest you will have plenty to write home about after this unique orchard experience.

More details: Discover the Douro Valley

TASTE THE FAMOUS WINES OF BURGUNDY – 3 NIGHTS

If you are in the mood to taste some of Europe’s most delicious wines, you can head to Burgundy in France. This tour takes you to the heart of France’s most famous wine region. Now it is time to sit back, sip wine and watch the world go by. On this amazing orchard experience you will learn about the grapes, sample vintage wines and take some well deserved time out to enjoy the finer things in life. It is a truly stunning landscape that the locals are delighted to share with you. Ramble through rolling green countryside and get exclusive access to wine cellars of Burgundy as you discover all that this region has to offer. The Burgundy tour is truly special and not to be missed.

More details: Burgundy Truffles & Wine Tour

LUXURY TRUFFLES & WINE ADVENTURE IN ITALY – 5 NIGHTS

Famous for it’s white truffles, the region of Alba in Italy epitomizes all that Italy has to offer food and nature lovers. As you start this journey visit the church of San Giovanni Battista containing artworks from the 14th century. This unforgettable tour will enhance your taste buds every step along the way. It is no wonder that Ferrero Roche and Nutella come from this area as everywhere is bursting with sweetness. Enjoy the beautifully preserved medieval town while getting to know the local culture with our fantastic guides. You will get a hands on experience of farm life in Italy, meeting the local wine producers and learning about the different production processes. This is the land of truffles, so you are in for a real treat.

More details: Luxury Orchard Experience Italy

You can see all our orchard experiences here: Orchards Near you

Does not include: flights and insurance

For more details about these amazing Orchard Experience routes or to request a quote contact our travel specialists.

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3 Amazing adventures for Food Lovers

The days are long, the nights are lively and the locals are waiting to give you a taste of everything on offer with our taste trails in Europe. We have selected some of our top taste trails for food lovers to inspire your imagination. Each trail offers the chance to taste the freshest local produce, explore vineyards, meet the producers and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. Get back to the land this year with these three amazing taste tours:

Stunning vineyard views on the Tuscany Taste Trail

Tuscany is world renowned for it’s natural beauty and a top destination in Europe for good reasons. This trail will take you along the most spectacular landscapes in Italy and alongside world class vineyards. Staying in charming medieval villages like San Miniato you can bask in the laid back restaurants, sampling oven baked pizzas and sipping on delcious local wines. As food lovers this is the perfect combination of adventure, food and fun. An extra treat involves a truffle hunting excursion in the hills of Tuscany. This is a truly unforgettable experience.

For more details and to book a tour go to: Tuscany Taste Trail

Go with the flow in chilled out Portugal

From the valleys in the Douro region to the harbour side UNESCO listed town of Porto, a taste trail in Northern Portugal will force you to chill out and enjoy the slower pace of life.

This tour is perfect for food lovers who enjoy a little bit of sunshine mixed in with a whole lot of culture. The town of Porto in Northern Portugal is full of foodie delights. From fresh fish to the famous Pastel de Nata dessert, you will leave this historic town with lifelong foodie memories. Enjoy strolling through the cobbled streets, tasting the local dishes and learning about the grapes in the nearby Douro Valley. 

In addition to the food, everywhere you turn on this taste trail has something unique to see or learn about. Be inspired, like J.K. Rowling was, by this enchanting town that provides a glimpse into the spirit of Portuguese people. 

For more details and to book a tour go to: Douro Valley Taste Trail

Enjoy the best of french cuisine on the Normandy Fruit Trail

France is stunning any time of the year but Spring and Summer are extra special giving visitors an opportunity to experience its full beauty and charm at a slower pace. It’s time to take to the trails!

There are many food trails in France but we’ll pick our two favourites: the never ending beauty of the landscape and the luxury of having a vineyard tour in the heart of stunning French villages. 

There are endless fruit blossom in springtime and in the summer these transform into delicious cherries in the summer months. From May onwards you will find plums, Strawberries and raspberries all along the trail. These homegrown fruits are just what you need after a day on the trails, bringing colour and a welcome boost of energy. Enjoy chatting with the producers, tasting the fruits and getting a true taste of the french countryside.

For more details and to book a tour go to: Following the Normandy Fruit Trail

For more information about more beautiful taste trails in Europe or to book your next tour please contact one of our travel specialists.

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REASONS TO GET BACK TO NATURE

I don’t know about you but everytime we get outdoors we feel a renewed sense of self. I feel the wind in my face, smell the freshly mowed fields and have a chance to make some head space for new thoughts. So why should be get back to nature and spend a little more time outdoors. Here are eight great reasons we think nature has it’s benefits:

  • Stress Buster
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Calming effect – Better mood
  • Increases attention and sharpens your focus
  • Relax and reflect
  • Renewed creativity
  • Strengthen Immunity
  • Lose weight

The above list is by no means definitive. Every positive reason to get back to nature can be associated with looking after your mental health and well-being. Nature provides an escape from your daily routine, an excuse to get off the screens that invade our everyday and a way to reconnect with the world around us.

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TOP 8 ORCHARD EXPERIENCES

At OrchardsNearme.com we go to grow. Every experience allows us to immerse ourselves in the culture, history and food of the places we visit. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sun kissed vines of the Duoro Valley, there is so much to be explored. Every moment of your orchard adventure is unique and will leave you with long lasting memories. Here are some of the top orchard experiences we would suggest:

  1. Discover the grapes of the Douro Valley
  2. Experience the wine harvest of Rioja Region in Spain
  3. A Citrus Cycling Adventure in the Algarve, Portugal
  4. Walk through the heart of Tuscany at Harvest Time
  5. Cycling in the stunning Loire Valley – France
  6. Stargazing and traditional suppers in Central Portugal
  7. Walk a taste trail for the senses along the Italian Coastline
  8. Cycling romantic Italy at harvest time

Now that you have a few great ideas it is time to make a plan. Whatever orchard experience you choose we are here to help you go to grow. Getting ready? Get your free packing checklist here.

For more information on any of the suggested tours please contact one of our travel specialists.

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