Fruit Picking

In-Depth Fruit Picking Experiences for Women Travelers

Japan (Yamanashi & Nagano)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Strawberries (Jan–May), Cherries (May–June), Grapes (Aug–Oct), Persimmons (Oct–Dec)

• Top Orchards:

  • Yamanashi Strawberry Farm—heated greenhouses with tea lounges

  • Nakano Grapevine Park—women-led vineyard tours

• Accommodations: Agritourism ryokans offering kaiseki dinners with orchard produce

• Women’s Tip: Join a ladies-only “ichigo-gari” (strawberry picking) morning, complete with kimono photo shoots.

France (Loire Valley & Provence)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Cherries (May–June), Strawberries (May–Jul), Apples (Aug–Oct), Grapes (Sep–Oct)

• Top Orchards:

  • Beaugency Strawberry Fields—family-run, picnic tables provided

  • Provence Cherry Estates—combine picking with lavender distillery tours

• Accommodations: Women-owned chambres d’hôtes in 18th-century farmhouses

• Women’s Tip: Time your stay during local “fête de la cerise” for live music and artisan stalls.

Italy (Tuscany & Sicily)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Figs (Aug–Sep), Grapes (Aug–Oct), Citrus (Nov–Mar in Sicily), Olives (Oct–Nov)

• Top Orchards:

  • Chianti Fig Groves—small-group fig jam workshops led by local “nonna”

  • Etna Citrus Terraces—women-run agriturismo offering limoncello classes

• Accommodations: Agriturismi with on-farm spa treatments and yoga overlooking orchards

• Women’s Tip: Book a “women’s wellness weekend” that pairs morning picking with evening vineyard yoga.

USA (Pacific Northwest & Northeast)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Blueberries (Jul–Aug), Apples (Aug–Oct), Peaches (Jul–Aug), Pumpkins (Oct)

• Top Orchards:

  • Oregon Berry Trails—women-led U-pick collective with berry-themed brunches

  • Vermont Apple Barns—farm stays with cider pressing and barn yoga

• Accommodations: Boutique cabins and glamping yurts on working farms

• Women’s Tip: Join a “Ladies & Lattes” Saturday morning harvest + coffee-and-conversation group.

Australia (Queensland & Tasmania)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Mangoes (Nov–Feb), Strawberries (Jul–Dec), Stone Fruit (Dec–Feb)

• Top Orchards:

  • Sunshine Coast Strawberry Farm—glass-house picking with smoothie bars

  • Tasmanian Stone Fruit Estate—women-run, with on-site farm-to-table café

• Accommodations: Eco-lodges with private cottages and creekside fire pits

• Women’s Tip: Combine a morning of picking with a guided women-only bush-walk in the rainforest.

Canada (Okanagan & Prince Edward County)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Cherries (Jun–Jul), Peaches (Jul–Aug), Apples (Aug–Oct), Blueberries (Jul–Aug)

• Top Orchards:

  • Okanagan Peach Orchards—women-run farm tours and wine pairing lunches

  • PEC Berry Farms—artisan jam workshops and lakeside picnic areas

• Accommodations: Lakefront cottages and vineyard guesthouses

• Women’s Tip: Attend a “Ladies of the Orchard” sunset paddle-and-pick adventure.

South Korea (Nonsan & Gyeongju)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Strawberries (Dec–Apr), Apples (Sep–Nov), Grapes (Aug–Sep)

• Top Orchards:

  • Nonsan Strawberry Greenhouses—Instagram-friendly tunnels with tea services

  • Gyeongju Apple Terraces—women-run farms with traditional tea ceremonies

• Accommodations: Hanok farm stays offering kimchi-making alongside picking

• Women’s Tip: Book a “kimono and kimchi” combined cultural-fruit picking workshop.

New Zealand (Hawke’s Bay & Central Otago)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Cherries (Nov–Jan), Apricots (Dec–Jan), Kiwifruit (Mar–May)

• Top Orchards:

  • Hawke’s Bay Cherry Groves—women-led U-pick events with live music

  • Central Otago Stone Fruit Farms—farm-stay cottages with orchard breakfasts

• Accommodations: Country villas and wellness retreats with orchard views

• Women’s Tip: Join “Sunrise in the Orchards” photo walks paired with picking and juice tasting.

Spain (Andalusia & Valencia)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Oranges (Dec–Mar), Almonds (Feb–Mar), Cherries (May–Jun)

• Top Orchards:

  • Valencia Orange Groves—women-run finca tours with citrus essential-oil workshops

  • Andalusian Cherry Estates—combine picking with flamenco evenings

• Accommodations: Whitewashed cortijos (farmhouses) with pool and yoga deck

• Women’s Tip: Plan for local “fiesta de la naranja” harvest festival with artisan markets.

Portugal (Douro Valley & Algarve)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Figs (Jul–Sep), Oranges (Nov–Mar), Medlar (Oct–Nov)

• Top Orchards:

  • Algarve Fig Terraces—women-led retreats with fig jam classes

  • Douro Orange Groves—river-view picnics after U-pick sessions

• Accommodations: Solar-powered quinta stays with in-house chefs

• Women’s Tip: Combine with vineyard yoga and a sunset boat ride on the Douro.

Greece (Peloponnese & Crete)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Olives (Oct–Nov), Figs (Jul–Sep), Citrus (Nov–Feb)

• Top Orchards:

  • Peloponnese Olive Groves—women-led co-ops offering olive-oil pressing demos

  • Cretan Fig Gardens—farm stays with herbal tea workshops

• Accommodations: Eco-villas and stone cottages with communal kitchens

• Women’s Tip: Book a “Herbs & Honey” day combining picking with foraging walks.

United Kingdom (Kent & Somerset)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Strawberries (May–Jul), Cherries (Jun–Jul), Apples (Aug–Oct), Blackberries (Aug–Sep)

• Top Orchards:

  • Kent Strawberry Tunnels—farm-to-table U-pick with cream teas

  • Somerset Apple Orchards—women-run cider pressing & yoga mornings

• Accommodations: Thatched-roof B&Bs and shepherd’s huts in orchards

• Women’s Tip: Take part in a “Jam & Jive” workshop—jam making followed by barn dance.

Netherlands (Betuwe & Limburg)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Cherries (Jun–Jul), Pears (Aug–Sep), Berries (Jun–Aug)

• Top Orchards:

  • Betuwe Cherry Trails—bike-and-pick routes with women-led guides

  • Limburg Pear Farms—farm stays offering poaching fruit desserts

• Accommodations: Canal-side cottages and orchard lodges

• Women’s Tip: Enjoy a morning “Pedal & Pick” e-bike tour followed by orchard brunch.

Turkey (Aegean & Anatolia)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Apricots (Jun–Jul), Cherries (May–Jun), Pomegranates (Oct–Nov)

• Top Orchards:

  • Malatya Apricot Orchards—female-friendly homestays with drying demos

  • Cappadocia Cherry Valleys—farm-to-balloon breakfast tours

• Accommodations: Cave-and-stone houses run by women hosts

• Women’s Tip: Combine picking with a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over fairy chimneys.

Chile (Maule & Colchagua)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Blueberries (Dec–Feb), Grapes (Mar–Apr), Apples (Feb–Mar)

• Top Orchards:

  • Maule Valley Berry Farms—women-led gatherings with wine pairing

  • Colchagua Apple Estates—eco-lodges offering cider workshops

• Accommodations: Vineyard lodges and organic farm cabins

• Women’s Tip: Join a full-moon harvest walk concluding with a rooftop picnic.

Argentina (Mendoza & Río Negro)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Grapes (Mar–Apr), Pears (Jan–Feb), Apples (Feb–Mar), Plums (Jan–Feb)

• Top Orchards:

  • Mendoza Vineyard Orchards—women-run estancias with harvest feasts

  • Río Negro Fruit Terraces—guest ranch stays with orchard yoga

• Accommodations: Andean-view ranches and boutique vineyard inns

• Women’s Tip: Book a “Gaucha & Grapevine” retreat with horse-and-pick mornings.

Germany (Black Forest & Moselle)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Cherries (Jun–Jul), Apples (Aug–Oct), Berries (Jul–Aug), Plums (Aug–Sep)

• Top Orchards:

  • Black Forest Cherry Groves—women-led jam-making and folklore evenings

  • Moselle Apple Terraces—vineyard-orchard farm stays with spa

• Accommodations: Timber-framed guesthouses with orchard views

• Women’s Tip: Take part in a twilight “Jam & Jazz” evening in the orchard.

Poland (Lubelskie & Mazovia)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Cherries (Jun–Jul), Apples (Aug–Oct), Currants (Jul–Aug)

• Top Orchards:

  • Lubelskie Cherry Valleys—women-hosted farm festivals with folk dance

  • Mazovia Apple Gardens—pick-and-bake workshops in historic farmhouses

• Accommodations: Manor-house B&Bs and countryside cottages

• Women’s Tip: Join a “Babka & Berries” baking class after your picking session.

South Africa (Stellenbosch & Ceres)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Apples (Feb–Mar), Pears (Feb–Mar), Berries (Dec–Jan), Citrus (Jun–Aug)

• Top Orchards:

  • Stellenbosch Berry Farms—women-run collectives with afternoon tea

  • Ceres Fruit Valleys—farm stays offering orchard walks and birdwatching

• Accommodations: Vineyard cottages and eco-friendly lodges

• Women’s Tip: Book a “Berry & Birding” early-morning walk combining picking and wildlife spotting.

Morocco (Ourika & Souss)

• Seasons & Fruits:

  • Figs (Jul–Sep), Pomegranates (Oct–Nov), Olives (Oct–Nov), Citrus (Nov–Mar)

• Top Orchards:

  • Ourika Valley Fig Terraces—Berber women-run cooperatives with traditional cooking demos

  • Souss Citrus Groves—farm stays with hammam and mindful picking

• Accommodations: Eco-riads and riverside lodges with women hosts

• Women’s Tip: Pair your picking day with a guided “Herb & Hammam” wellness experience.