A GIFT FROM NATURE

Nose your way through the woods on an exciting truffle hunt. Adventure-seeking foodies will embark on a quest for these exquisite gifts of nature and delight in a mouth-watering Tuscan meal.

Truffles are one of the world’s most expensive, sought-after delicacies and the Italian white variety – growing from October through December – is the most valuable of all, with a market price of up to € 6,000 per kilo. The mild climate and terroir rich in mineral salts typical of the countryside surrounding San Miniato contribute to the growth and flavour of delicious truffles – as well as top-class olive oil and wine.

You begin your day with a 70-minute ride from Florence to Forcoli. Here you will visit a small truffle museum owned by a local family of truffle hunters who pride themselves on supplying the kitchens and tables of famed chefs and the most discerning of palates. The family’s passion for truffles has been handed down for four generations, since the early 1920s. Among their achievements is that of having found the biggest, priciest truffle in the world. In 2007 thanks to their cherished dog, Rocco, a giant white truffle weighing 1,497 kilos emerged from the soil. We can’t promise you’ll be quite so lucky but keep your fingers crossed and your nose to the ground.

You will hear an introduction to the family’s history, activities and values and understand the importance of working in harmony with the land. Indeed only uncontaminated nature rewards us with its most wonderful fruits. Tuscany, with its pure, unspoiled green hills, is very generous all year long, making this truffle experience a gratifying activity in all seasons. Several kinds of truffle – including the black truffle, the scorzone truffle, the whitish truffle and the rare white truffle – grow in different areas and different seasons and you will learn about the characteristics of each type.

Then, head for the woods and enjoy an exhilarating truffle hunt accompanied by an experienced truffle seeker. It is actually the dogs who will lead you on the trail, as they follow this unique and precious scent through the trees digging out aromatic treasures. With guidance from your truffle seeker, you will identify different plant species, get to know the ideal habitat for truffle growth, find out why truffles are considered an icon of the slow food movement and discover how dogs are trained to detect these woodland treats.

Later, sit down to a tasty truffle-based meal. Highlights might include truffle bruschetta, cold cuts with truffle, pecorino cheese served with truffle honey, potato flan with goat cheese and truffle, risotto with truffle fondue, tagliolini pasta with truffle butter, fried eggs with truffle… Buon appetito!

After lunch explore Tuscany’s truffle capital. The enchanting hilltop town of San Miniato hosts a famous truffle fair every year in November attracting chefs, journalists and specialists from all over the country. Roam its pretty streets taking in splendid views of the Arno Valley below before returning to your hotel in Florence.