The tour begins in the hills surrounding Marikaj, among the area’s remarkable olive groves and beautiful natural landscapes.
Some of the olive trees in the area are traditionally considered to be between 500 and 2,500 years old, reflecting the long relationship between local communities and olive cultivation.

The olive tree has played an important role in Mediterranean agriculture for thousands of years, providing food, oil, wood, and other products.
The Marikaj landscape offers visitors an opportunity to discover this agricultural heritage directly among the trees.

Highlights include:
• Ancient olive trees
• Traditional olive-growing landscapes
• Different local olive varieties
• Characteristics of mature olive trees
• Traditional and modern cultivation practices
• The importance of tree care for annual production
• Panoramic views over the surrounding countryside

During the visit, visitors will learn how the age, variety, health, soil, climate, and cultivation methods of an olive tree influence the quality and quantity of its fruit.
The experience demonstrates that producing good olive oil begins long before the olives reach the mill.

The tour continues with an introduction to the historical tradition of olive cultivation and olive oil production in the region.
Historical documentation indicates that during the 17th and 18th centuries, olive oil from this area was exported toward the Republic of Venice and territories associated with Saint Mark.
This trade demonstrates the importance of olive oil as an agricultural and commercial product in Albania’s historical economy.

Visitors will explore:
• The history of olive cultivation in the region
• The importance of olive oil in traditional Albanian cuisine
• Historical trade connections
• Traditional uses of olive oil
• The relationship between agriculture and local communities

The visit also provides an opportunity to understand how olive-growing traditions have survived through generations and continue to form part of the rural identity of the area.

The tour continues to the family olive oil mill, where visitors can observe the process of transforming freshly harvested olives into olive oil.

The mill does not serve only the family’s own olive groves. It also processes olives for dozens of farmers from the surrounding area, making it an important part of the local agricultural community.

Visitors will learn about:
• Olive harvesting
• Careful collection and handling of the fruit
• Preparation of olives for processing
• The olive oil production process
• The importance of processing olives at the appropriate time
• Storage and preservation of olive oil
• Factors that influence the quality of the final product

Particular attention is given to the idea that the quality of olive oil depends not only on the olive variety but also on harvesting, handling, processing, storage, and presentation.
The mill therefore represents the connection between traditional agriculture and modern food production.

The next part of the experience focuses on how the family has expanded olive oil production into a wider range of tourism and lifestyle products.

By combining olive oil with locally collected aromatic herbs and traditional knowledge, the family has developed a variety of products that go beyond culinary use.

Visitors will discover:
• Olive oil-based soaps
• Aromatic products
• Dried local herbs
• Olive-wood souvenirs
• Flavored olive oils
• Olive oils infused with local herbs and spices
• Other olive-oil-based products

This part of the tour demonstrates how a traditional agricultural product can be transformed into a broader tourism experience.
The objective is not simply to produce olive oil, but to add value to the product and create an authentic experience for visitors.

The final stop is the family’s shop, where visitors can see approximately 35 different products created from or inspired by olive oil and other local ingredients.
The shop presents the agricultural products of the area in a way that connects local production with tourism, gastronomy, wellness, and souvenirs.

The experience concludes with an olive oil tasting.
Visitors will be introduced to some of the basic characteristics used to recognize a high-quality extra virgin olive oil, including its aroma, flavor, freshness, and overall sensory character.

The tasting may be accompanied by:
• Traditional products
• Fresh bread and olive oil
• Local herbs
• Byrek with olive pate
• Other seasonal products from the area

The tasting transforms the visit from a simple agricultural tour into a complete culinary experience.

The tour concludes with an appreciation of the complete journey of olive oil—from the ancient trees of the Marikaj hills to the modern family shop.
Visitors discover how centuries-old agricultural traditions continue to influence contemporary Albanian food culture and rural tourism.

The experience demonstrates that olive oil is more than a food product. It is part of the landscape, history, economy, cuisine, family traditions, and cultural identity of the region.

The Marikaj experience also presents an important opportunity for Albanian farmers.
Producing quality olive oil is only the beginning. The next step is learning how to present, market, and transform that product into an attractive tourism experience.

Similar olive oil tours can be developed by other Albanian farmers who own olive groves and produce their own oil, creating new opportunities for rural tourism, direct sales, gastronomy, education, and local economic development.