Kalamata: Cycling Greece & Italy

The Olive Route Cycling Tour is divided into 3 separate sections which, like the olives they are named after, each have a distinct flavour, its own individual appeal. Of course, as anyone who has visited a tapas bar knows, the combination of all 3 types of olives is also a winning combination! So try one, two, or all three!

Let’s start with Kalamata. The olive itself, appropriately named after a Greek city in the southern Peloponnese Peninsula, is large and purple with a fruity and smokey taste and a meaty texture.

What about the Kalamata section of the Olive Route, a 2220 km journey from Athens to Milan? What makes it so special?

Acropolis

Given the current political climate, having the riders of the Olive Route begin their journey in the shadow of the Acropolis, which watched over Athens as the ideal of democratic governance emerged, seems serendipitous. This stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site features the Parthenon, an ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess, Athena that incorporates some incredible architectural and engineering techniques. Be sure to book your tickets ahead of time.

The Best Day Of Cycling In Italy

“It just kept getting better and better. It was almost indescribable.”

Somewhere in Italy on the Olive Route there is an 85 km stage that will knock your (cycling) socks off but you will have to join the tour to find out where!

Mosaics of Ravenna

Even in a country like Italy, with its seemingly endless treasury of cultural riches, the mosaics of Ravenna stand out. These beautiful pieces of early Christian art were created between the 5th and 6th centuries and are situated in 8 (yes, 8!) UNESCO World Heritage buildings. The tradition continues today as students from around the world come to Ravenna to learn the art of mosaic. You can also try your hand at creating your own piece of art in a local workshop.

>>Related Post: Kalamata: Athens to Milan On The Olive Route

Leonardo da Vinci Museum Of Science & Technology

In 2025, Founder Henry Gold was wandering aimlessly through Milan when he noticed this museum. He recalls that “Inside I saw Leonardo’s sketches for a variety of inventions from flying machines, to military devices, to a mechanical walking lion. The exposition and the range of Leonardo’s work or rather his genius simply mesmerized me. There was a whole room dedicated to Leonardo’s Last Supper painting including a video of the colours of the painting when Leonardo first created it.”

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Olive Route

The Olive. The food most closely associated with Western European civilization. Olive oil. One of the most important ingredients in European cuisine...