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One of the first olive trees at the groves...as the story goes it had been here many years before Vasilis bought the farm.
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Our story starts about 110 years ago…
Vasilis, our great grandfather, had just returned from the U.S, where he had lived for many years. Although he passed away long before any of us were born, stories about him have been lovingly told to us by our family members since we were children. Vasilis was about thirteen years old when he dared to take the long trip to the United States. He was determined to survive but life had other plans for him.At the outset of the war in Greece, Vasilis left the United States and returned to the land of his ancestors to take part in the war. This was a difficult decision that Vasilis made not once, but twice in his life. After leaving the U.S. to serve in the war a second time, he decided to remain in Greece, the country that he loved and that he had fought so hard to preserve.
Soon he found out that life in Greece was just as difficult as life in America. In America, many viewed him as a Greek, but since his stay in the states, the young immigrant was now viewed as an American by his fellow Greeks. Even though he had fought for her independence, he felt like a stranger in his own land.
But he was incredibly passionate and persistent. With his first money he managed to buy some land, but this was not without its challenges. The owner of the land didn't want to sell the property to Vasilis as he considered him a stranger. But this fact didn’t stop him. He gave the money to his friend and asked him if he would buy the land for him. It worked, the deal took place and Vasilis at last had the first part of his dream... a piece of land of his own. Of course when the previous land owner discovered that he had been tricked and that Vasilis was the real buyer he was pretty upset... but the deal couldn't be reversed. And with that Vasilis was ready for the next steps in his dream... to have a family...
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View from our Olive Groves , near Eurotas river , in a warm Autmn morning.
Orange and Olive Trees everywhere.
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And now…Your Journey Begins
After many long hours of travel, your eyes welcome the first rays of the sun. You are finally entering the land of the Spartans, Lakonia. Although it’s been less than two hours since you left the airport in Athens and as you pass the mountain landscapes of Arcadia you notice you are filled with a new energy as recollections of this land’s glorious past leaps into your mind.
You still have many kilometers to go until you reach you reach the town of Sparta, but you don’t mind because the weather is good and although it looks like it may rain you know that in September these clouds will drift harmlessly by leaving nothing but sun and blue skies.
Out the window, small houses in quaint villages appear now and again, and the few people you encounter out walking or going about their business give you a friendly wave as you pass by. As you drive along the old road that snakes between the mountains you look to your left to see the gorgeous Parnonas Mountains and then to you right to view the magnificent Taigetos mountians rising up into the blue of the sky. The beauty of these natural wonders is breathtaking and you wish you could stop and stay forever.
With each kilometer you experience a growing desire to stop and smell the fresh mountain air that now completely surrounds you. So you pull over at a small gas station in the next small village and step out of your car. The young man at the station attends to your car and you take this opportunity to walk a few meters, to the edge of the forest.
It is so peaceful that you close your eyes and listen intently as the sounds of nature are all around you. Birds are singing, calling you to join them and even the branches of the old trees, moving slowing in the breeze seem to welcome you to the mountain. Although all of this is new, it seems comforting and familiar, like meeting a dear old friend after many long years. Closing your eyes you take a long deep breath.
The young man at the station waves you back to your car with a smile and although you know you have to move on, the sounds, sights and smells you experienced at this moment will be etched in your heart and mind forever, have become a part of you. As you get back in your car, you glance back at the edge of the forest one last time, then a smile crosses your face…and you start singing with the birds.
Suddenly, the vast mountain ranges that seemed to go on forever start to fade away and the valley of Eurotas unfolds in front of your eyes… The first images of Sparta are now appearing and your heart beats faster. There may only be a few kilometers left on this journey but the anticipation you feel along with the narrow winding roads make it seems like centuries have passed. The villages you pass are full of life and energy, as the bridge over the Eurotas river welcomes you. The next sign reads “Sparta Center 1 km”
At last … You are here…
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Sun is ready to set behind mountain Taigetos, on a peaceful Autumn evening.
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Please take Your seat on our table..
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As descendants of Vasilis, we are native Spartans who have lived on this land our entire lives. Sparta is small in size but its legacy is known throughout the world. Our dream is to show our friends this remarkable land we call home and share all she has to offer with them. Sparta is freedom, dignity, courage and hospitality and in that sense we are all Spartans, regardless of where we come from or the place we call home.
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Recipe of the Month 
Greek Salad (The Spartan Table Way)
Ingredients:
2 Tomatoes,
1 Lettuce,
1 Cucumber,
4 – 5 Dried Tomatoes,
1 small Onion,
100 gr (3+ Oz) of Feta Cheese,
2 Tea Spoons Wild Oregano,
Salt,
10 Black Olives (can be in slices too),
4 -5 Table Spoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil,
Vinegar
Execution:
Wash carefully the tomatoes , the lettuce and the cucumber.
Cut them in small pieces. Put them in a bowl.
Add the dried tomatoes in the bowl and add the onion (must be cut into small pieces).
Add the salt , the wild oregano, the vinegar and the extra virgin olive oil and stir the blend gently.
At the end, add the black olives and the feta cheese above.
Don’t forget to sprinkle some more wild oregano !
Kali Oreksi (Bon Apetite)
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