Mġarr Rural Trail

The Mġarr Rural Trail, which features a number of sites of historic, cultural and natural importance, was inaugurated today. The trail includes information panels which highlight natural attractions, and historic treasures amongst which are the Ħaġrat Temples, an ancient religious site, and the Roman baths on the way down to Għajn Tuffieħa. 

The Mġarr local council and the Majjistral Local Action Group made this project possible through EU funding.

The Mġarr Rural Trail - Click to view flier

Inauguration speeches

Walking towards the grove

Dr. Ian Borg, Parliamentary Secretary for EU funds and 2017 Presidency

Majjistral LAG Manager Ms. Marisa Marmara’ and Mġarr Mayor Mr. Paul Vella planting young olive trees

Olive oil in the Maltese islands

From amber yellow to emerald green, olive oil comes in many shades and hues. Sometimes known as ‘liquid gold’, it has been a staple in our diets for time immemorial – around 400 generations, to be exact.

The History

Indigenous to the Mediterranean region, the olive tree has played a crucial role in our diets and nourishment for around 10,000 years. It is believed, in fact, that we've picked olives from trees since the early Neolithic period, and that we started extracting this fruit’s oil some 8,000 years ago. Everyone from the Grecians to the Israelites to the Romans and the Minoans cultivated and consumed olives, and all of these milked them for their delicious and wholesome juices.

This age old tradition that pre-dates written history has survived the test of time, and nowadays, olive oil is a favourite among all the people of the world, be they Mediterranean or not. So much so, that the global production of olive oil is of over 3,200,000 tonnes per year; and it is assumed that close to 100 per cent of that is consumed each year as well.

Fun Facts About Olive Oil

• Olive oil’s renowned health properties and aromas are due to their plant-based antioxidants called ‘polyphenols’. These are believed to be both anti-carcinogenic and anti-aging.

• We all know that some red wines get better with age, but olive oil is a product best consumed as fresh as possible. For this reason, you should always check its harvest date.

• It should be stored in cool, dark places with the lid firmly in place as light, heat and oxygen can destroy its chemical compound. In fact, the fridge is one of the best places to preserve its taste, colour and nutritive elements. It may solidify, but, once taken out, it will go back to being a liquid within a few minutes.

• The notion that extra virgin olive oil (evoo) should never be heated or used for cooking is not supported by research. However one should not use EVOO for frying. During our EVOO experiences we examine this fact in more detail and discuss from where this myth originated.

• While unfiltered olive oil may look less appetising – muddy, even – it is actually much tastier and much more nutritious than its filtered counterpart.

• No two harvests are the same, so no two batches of olive oil can ever taste the same.

• A certain degree of bitterness is required to ensure that the olive oil is genuine.

• In tasting sessions, different people may taste the same olive oil differently; that is why the aroma is given more importance.

• Proper, unfiltered olive oil contains natural fats, meaning it has a high-calorific value – but, don’t worry, they’re good fats!

Extra virgin olive oil can be easily coupled to other local ingredients

Merill & Olive Oil

Olive oil was one of the first products we discovered at Merill. This was no coincidence, however, as two of the first people we teamed up with were Charlie and Ray Vella, the hard-working farmers and owners of tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove.

Over the years, we have made it our mission to support the farmers in our rural network, particularly those whose work is eco-friendly, thanks to the EU LEADER funded Project. This training consists of pest control and management, olive oil appreciation, and health and safety regulations when working around trees, among many others.

As part of our on-going work, we also support researchers who are rediscovering old Maltese varieties and studying their unique properties; and we help create awareness about the benefits of choosing local and unaltered food products. 

What We Offer

Should you wish to organise an Olive Oil Tasting session to find out what real, unfiltered olive oil tastes like, feel free to get in touch with us.

 

We have:

• Basic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Tasting – Get to grips with olive oil with a simple-yet-informative tour of the olive grove – served with delicious Maltese bread, of course! Organise a private group or join other eco-guests on our regular shared experiences.

• Professional Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Tasting – As one of newest ventures, this offers small groups the chance to sit down to a glorious olive oil tasting session that will challenge everything you think you know about the taste and smell of good olive oil.

• Bottled Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - Bottled liquid goodness that’s of a guaranteed quality and origin.

written by WriteMeAnything.com

For more information on Merill or our Olive Oil Tasting sessions, why not drop us a line at info@merill.com or call us on +356 9944 3118? 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Experience

Shared tour

Every Tuesday!

Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove

At the limits of Mgarr lies a path that is lined with the most mouth-watering of scents. Take it, and you will soon discover the majestic-yet-subdued beauty of the Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove, a haven for indigenous and endemic flora that has found a home amid the rugged landscape.

It is hard to believe that, not very long ago, the patch of land that makes up the Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove was derelict and in ruins. The rubble walls had been damaged for years, leaving much of the soil to the mercy of the elements, the flora had been replaced by weeds, and it all just seemed like another stretch of uncultivated land.

What Happened Then?

Thankfully, two amazing farmers called Charlie and Ray bought this piece of agricultural land; and, through their hard work and determination, they turned it into their very own Garden of Eden.  They restored the rubble walls and returned the grove to its terraced past, they planted windbreak trees to provide shelter to the then newly-planted olive trees, and allowed rosemary bushes and endemic plants to grow, thus providing a safe haven to many species of birds and insects.

Since then, the olive trees have grown strong and now yield olives that make some of the tastiest olive oil in the country. Tan-Nixxiegha has also been opened to be public, allowing many to catch their first glance of the Widnet il-Bahar (Malta’s national plant), to smell the scent of wild thyme and rosemary, and to be left breathless by the stunning views of the countryside that surround it.

How is Merill Involved?

Tan-Nixxiegha was one of the first places that became part of the Merill Rural Network and, since 2011, we have brought many local and foreign groups to this ‘beautiful’ and ‘friendly’ grove – as the comments and mentions on TripAdvisor put it.

Over the years, the range of things you can do at Tan-Nixxiegha has doubled, and we now offer:

Tasting Sessions – where you can sample the deliciousness of fresh Maltese produce, including extra virgin olive oil, wine and jams.

A Nature Tour – where you can see and smell the countryside like never before and become familiar with the many endemic types of flora that add to the natural beauty of the grove.

Sales of Local Produce – which is just what it says on the tin! Visit us to buy fresh and delicious produce, including estate-fresh, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil produced by Charlie and Ray themselves. Limited quantities are available, but they are incredibly high in quality.

written by WriteMeAnything.com 

Would you like to organise a scrumptious tasting session or a nature tour at the Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove? Then drop us a line at info@merill.com.mt or call us on +356 9944 3118.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Experience

Shared tour

Every Tuesday!

Merill Rural Tourism Project featured on Malta's National TV station

Guests at Tas-Salut Orchard

While temperatures are rising we bid farewell to a busy spring and welcome summer time. It has been a busy season hosting many locals and tourists on our farm venues. In the meantime we also started off an EU funded project entitled "To enhance, strengthen and assist the Merill Rural Tourism Network".

This €110K project which is 80% funded by Leader Funds and managed by the Majjistral Local Action Group Foundation, involves several tasks, including purchasing of small scale investments, training of the members within the network and marketing. 

Dissemination of information is being carried out with regards to Malta's rural treasures focusing on the Majjistral region. All the attractions being promoted are taken care of by the farmes and arstisans within the network. They feature unique farms and workshops in rural villages including Mosta, Mtarfa, Mgarr, Rabat and Dingli. 

Yesterday our project was featured on the news thanks to Malta's national TV station - Television Malta. The feature (in Maltese), highlighted the experiences offered by Merill as well as outlined the project in relation to three of the members within the network. Mr. Antoine Vella, an artisan, was interviewed at his workshop in Rabat. Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove was also filmed and described as a museum of trees, herbs and endemic species. Last but not least the stunning views and surroundings at Tas-Salut Orchard, a Mediterranean fruit orchard, were also featured.

The other members within the Merill Rural Network who are participating in this project are Carmel and Paul Cortis of Cortis Vineyards, and Karl and Mario Scerri who are full-time farmers.

Online article in Maltese 

Turisti jinghataw esperjenza fil-kampanja Maltija, tradizjonijiet u kultura.

Source: www.tvm.com.mt
Click here to watch news clip in Maltese

Her Excellency Ms. Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley and her guests on a rural tour with Merill

In February we had the pleasure to host the US Ambassador to Malta Her Excellency Ms. Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley and her guests on a rural tour. Here are some photos from the visit.

Having a chat at Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove

Time to taste some delicacies

Left to right - Ms. Tess Gauci, Her Excellency Ms. Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley,
Mr. Chully Vella and Mrs Isabella Vella

The guests at Mr. Antoine Vella's weaving workshop

Mr Antoine Vella explaining the tricks of the trade

Merill Local Products display

Enjoying traditional coffee 

Click here to have a look at the blog post written by Denise, one of the guest attending the trip.

For more details about rural tours drop us a line on info@merill.com.mt

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Experience 

NOW AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS

every Sunday morning!

A group of students visit the Bingemma Olive Grove

View from the Olive Grove

We were pleased to host a group of students from the university association called "Youth for the Environment". Daniel Buhagiar is the current President of the organisation. The students all have the environment at heart and study at various faculties and institutes within the University of Malta including sciences, engineering and health. The scope of the association is to create environmental awareness, promote efficiency and contribute to sustainability in society. This rural experience was organised as one of their social events.

During the discussion

It was a splendid Sunday morning when John, a young farmer, and I met the group next to the Chapel of Our Lady of Ittria in Bingemma, Mgarr. After a brief introduction, we moved towards the Olive Grove where we were hosted by Nena, Tessie, Bella together with John. The youths were offered tea and coffee together with local jams and marmalades. Following that, the visit was complemented with an engaging discussion about rural tourism and agriculture. John, recalled how studying agriculture has kept him close to his family and the traditions they harness. Olive oil and other delicacies produced by the farmers within the Merill Network were also tasted during the experience. 

Olive oil tasting

Delicacy Tasting

At the olive grove

Photos by Kurt Cuschieri

To get involved in this student organisation visit their Facebook Fan Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/youthfortheenvironment

For more information about the Olive Grove Experience, drop us a line on info@merillecotours.com.

Cheers

Jeanette

Merill Eco Tours hosts a dynamic team of Food and Beverage experts

Hello Merill fans,

October 2012 has now gone by, and it still feels like summer in Malta. Today has been an exceptionally clear and sunny day, perfect to enjoy the rural parts of the Maltese islands. Having been blessed with fantastic weather throughout September and October, we have enjoyed hosting more groups on our various farm venues around Malta. 

Amongst the groups we hosted in October, we had the pleasure of hosting the Food and Beverage managers and supervisors at Intercontinental Malta. This dynamic team of young people are experts in hotel and restaurant management. Now I'm looking even more forward to visit the various restaurants managed by Intercontinental Malta, such as Eastern Breeze, Paranga and Harruba, to taste the exquisite food prepared by this team :) 

We would like to show gratitude to Mr. Bradley Dingli, the Director of Food and Beverage, who entrusted us to organise a day out for his colleagues, and who took the time to write the 5 star review on our official Trip Advisor page seen below.

“FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE WITH MERILL ECO PRIVATE TOURS FOR OUR COMPANY OUTING

Smiling - Photo by Ms. Angie Borda

"We come from a very stressfull and demanding routine on a daily basis at work. Two groups of 20 persons each decided to organise 2 seperate but identical events with this company and Jeanette (together with her husband Chris) assisted us from the very start. We made it very clear that we want to enjoy a full day activity within peaceful surroundings, whereby a group of working colleagues would spend a full day away from the normal routine at work. What Jeanette organised was spot on....they took us to Bingemma Olive Grove to start off with. As a local i have been to this area, however this Olive Grove boasts one of the best views in Malta, apart from a surrounding area that is astounding to spend some hours at with friends. The group tasted some good olive oil, marmalade and consumed some local pastizzi accompanied by coffee and tea (which tastes delicious in this environment). The friendliness and hospitality experience by Charles and his wife at the Olive Grove is an experience not to be missed. Jeannette and Chris enhance the experience by thier knowledge on agriculture, explaining the different types of olive trees and some very interesting information on how the olive oil is pressed; how many olives you need to press a litre of olive oil etc etc. It did rain a bit when we were there with the 2nd group however no one hesitated as there was plenty of shelter for a group of 20.

Intercontinental F&B team - Group 1 - Photo by Ms. Angie Borda

After an hour and a half at the Olive Grove we proceeded to the limits of Rabat and visited a vineyard. Again Jeanette explained a lot about the type of grapes grown and the variety of wines produced. Being locals and having a group of people who's job is in Food & Beverage, she didn't need to elaborate a lot but it was very interersting. The lady at the vineyard prepared a selection of wines (red, white and rose) for us all to try, followed by a nice spread of a typical local table filled with Hobz biz-zejt (traditional Maltese Bread with tomato spread and olive oil), Goat's Cheese, Capers, Pickled Onions, Bigilla (a bean dip), Bruschetta Mix, Olives, and Sundried Tomatoes, which proved to be a very enjoyable meal in the afternoon. Views from the vineyard are exceptional, especially from the roof terrace. We spend at least 2 hours at the vineyard enjoying the wine, food and company. Jeanette and Chris finished it off with some nice local sweets and hot beverages before saying their good byes. 

This was the first time with Merill Eco Private Tours however it will not be the last. Jeannette and Chris you know have 40 ambassadors, promoting your services as you truly offered us a fantastic programme for our company outing. Above all the best thing is that Merill keep the local traditions and local produce alive and highly exposed to the selected few. thanks one again and hope to see you all soon."

Ms. Angie Borda who is part of the Intercontinental Malta team, has also left us a review and a photo, and for this we would like to say thank you.

We hope to host this team again very soon and in the mean time we wish them all the best for the coming hectic Christmas season!

Cheers

Jeanette

Visited October 2012

Good Vines and Wines in Malta

Hello Merill fans,

Hello!

Hope you're all doing great! Just a short update about our activities in Malta. The weather is perfect...sunny and warm in the morning and cool in the evening. Vines have now greened the valleys and hills of the Maltese countryside. We're keeping our farmers busy with agri experiences right now. Visiting Valletta and Mdina is a must if you come to Malta, and so are our experiences which take place just a few kilometers away from these well known cultural sites. In just a a matter of hours we accompany our guests at the best locations of our island. 

Our network of hard-working farmers, enables us to choose the perfect venue, be it a secluded olive grove or a vineyard with stunning views in the heart of a rural area. Here are some photos for all of you to enjoy!

Should you need more info about our alternative experiences, visit our website and send us an email on info@merillecotours.com.

Saħħa!

Jeanette

Vines have now turned the landscape in Malta green

A boy's toy!

One last strawberry... et voila!

Ready!

Wie Merill Lokale Produkte, arbeiten wir mit den lokalen Bauern, um Erfahrungen zu Einheimischen und Touristen bieten, sowie vertreibt eine breite Palette von Produkten während der Besuche auf Bauernhöfen. Unser Sortiment umfasst Olivenöl, Wein, getrockneten Tomaten, Meersalz, Zwiebeln Gewürzgurken und Honig.

Visite d’une ferme maltaise, dégustation d’huile d’olive et découverte de Marfa.

Si vous êtes à la recherche d’une expérience unique pour profiter d’un moment spécial avec la nature, alors n’hésitez pas, lisez la suite.

L’authenticité de ce tour prend tout son sens dès que vous vous engouffrez dans cette charmante ferme. Baigné dans une atmosphère chaleureuse et conviviale, vous serez tout de suite accueillis par le chant des oiseaux et par de nombreux autres animaux. 

Les propriétaires vous accueilleront au sein de leur domaine et prendront soin de vous guider tout au long de cette expérience. Au-delà du métier, c’est avant tout la passion pour la nature qui a amené cette famille à vouloir partager leurs connaissances de la terre avec les touristes. La culture de l’olive est un savoir-faire qui s’est transmis de génération en génération.

En flânant entre les oliviers, un chemin vous amènera au lieu de la dégustation. Perché sur les hauteurs, ce petit coin de paradis vous offre un panorama saisissant sur une campagne verdoyante et sur les villages aux alentours.

Si vous êtes en quête de nouvelles sensations pour vos papilles, vous vous régalerez en dégustant ces succulentes olives vertes. Frais et croustillant, savourez le pain Maltais et trempez le dans l’huile d’olive. Au cours de ce voyage gastronomique si vous fermez les yeux vous pourrez peut être entendre le chant des cigales. Pour parfaire cette expérience culinaire, un rafraichissement vous sera généreusement offert.

Cette excursion sera l’opportunité de partager un moment de grande complicité avec une famille traditionnelle Maltaise.

Cette dégustation sera suivie d’une très jolie promenade dans la campagne. Profitez de cet instant pour respirer quelques bouffées d’air frais et prenez quelques minutes pour admirer le paysage qui s’étend devant vous. De nombreuses fleurs et plantes poussent à cet endroit. Agenouillez-vous et frottez entre vos mains le romarin dont le parfum de garrigue évoque le soleil et la mer.

L’excursion se poursuit vers Marfa. Hors des sentiers battus, notre guide vous conduira vers un site méconnu du grand public et peu connu des locaux.

Non loin de la tour rouge, vous profiterez d’une vue imprenable sur les îles de Comino et de Gozo. Vous serez transporté par la beauté de la mer méditerranée avec ses nuances de bleu. Vous poursuivrez votre balade vers un lieu que peu de gens connaissent. Situé à proximité de l’embarcadère pour Gozo, ce lieu regorge de surprises. Votre guide vous dévoilera l’histoire et les secrets de cet endroit.

C’est dans cette atmosphère fascinante que se termine cette expérience unique. Coup de cœur garantis pour cette journée riche en émotion, en découverte et surtout en rencontre.

Si vous souhaitez recevoir plus de renseignements sur nos excursions, n'hésitez pas à visiter notre site internet Merillecotours.com ou écrivez nous à notre adresse internet à info@merillecotours.com 

Retrouvez-nous sur Facebook et sur Twitter.

90" Eco Seconds - #1 Mġarr: Malta's agricultural hub

What's your view about this first clip we're posting? Would you like to experience these locations?

We took these shots in Mgarr...a truly rich biodiversity hot spot. It is the village with the largest population of full time arable farmers. Many still work their land with the assistance of sons of daughters, and very often their spouses too. Things are not always plain sailing for farmers. They go through many adverse situations including drought periods, marketing challenges and work load. 

The reason why we are shooting these short clips is to raise awareness about the beauty of rural areas in Malta. I speak to many people who find it hard to understand that Malta has a lot of potential in eco and agri-tourism. Meeting real farmers and harvesting/tasting their produce is an experience that many enjoy. The fresh air of the countryside and scenic beauty give visitors a sense of space and relaxation. We are doing our best to include many hidden spots around the islands during our eco tours, surprising our guests with Malta's hidden assets. 

Our "Olive Themed Tour" and the "Malta Vine and Wine Experience" have brought about a new dimension of ecotourism in Malta. These tours are not just eco because we call them so. Real farmers are benefiting from these tours financially. They feel that their land and hard work is being appreciated. Without financial benefits, one cannot expect eco initiatives to last for a long time. We go out of our way to help farmers reach their goals and together create goods and services that make us proud to be Maltese. 

For more information about the principles we practice visit our website www.merillecotours.com 

Agritourism Experience in Malta - 10th April 2011

In spite there were many activities going on in Malta today, I still managed to gather a small crowd to  attend the Agritourism Experience as part of the "JCI Malta" social events for this year. Five out of twelve had already attended other agri/social events, while the rest had never been to such an activity. The farmer and his wife welcomed us and showed us around the ten hectare olive grove. They explained  the history and the future of their enterprise with great passion. The terraced fields slope gently toward a sheer dropping cliff made of lower Corraline limestone. Apart from the thousands of olive trees present on the farm, we had the time to appreciate a lot of endemic species. The view of Filfla (the tiny island in the photo) was the cherry on the cake. The experience ended with a lunch made out of organic products produced on the same farm. Capers, herbs and extra virgin olive oil gave a rich Mediterranean taste to the lunch. We also tasted local fruits that are in season such as medlars and melons. After a half day out in the fields I managed to get a suntan :) Looking forward to enjoy more days out in the sunshine!

Some information about Filfla:
http://www.maltainsideout.com/5175/filfla-rubble-rock-and-rare-species/