Across Greece and Cyprus, one element appears almost everywhere you look: the olive tree. Found along roadsides, in village fields, and across open landscapes, these trees are not just part of the scenery — they are part of daily life and tradition.
In both Greek and Cypriot culture, olive trees have been cultivated for thousands of years. They are often passed down through generations, valued not only for their fruit but for what they represent: continuity, care, and connection to the land. Harvesting olives and producing oil remains an important seasonal activity, still carried out in many local communities.
Visitors can experience this tradition up close. Near King Jason Zante, the Aristeon Olive Press & Museum offers insight into how olives are transformed into oil, combining modern methods with older techniques. Not far from King Jason Paphos, the Oleastro Olive Park in Anogyra allows guests to walk through olive groves and learn about traditional pressing methods in a rural setting. Close to King Jason Protaras, the Olive Museum in Anglisides presents the history of olive cultivation in Cyprus, showing how the process has evolved over time.
Extra virgin olive oil, produced through careful pressing of olives, is central to Mediterranean cooking. It is valued for its natural properties, balanced flavour, and role in a diet built around vegetables, grains, and simple ingredients. Many guests notice that meals feel lighter and more satisfying when olive oil is used as the main source of richness.
At all King Jason hotels, olive oil is part of everyday dining. Across our buffet restaurants, guests will find dedicated olive oil stations, offering a selection of local olive varieties, extra virgin olive oils, and herb-infused blends. These allow guests to experience the different flavours and uses of olive oil throughout their meals, especially at our make-your-own salad section.
Olive oil also plays an important role in our Levantine-inspired dining. At our theme restaurants in Zante and Protaras, guests are served laffa bread with zaatar olive oil, a simple yet meaningful combination that reflects the wider culinary traditions of the region. From the landscape to the table, olive trees remain a defining feature of these destinations. They connect past and present, and offer a taste of something that has remained unchanged for generations.