Private Truffle Hunting and Tastings in Umbria, Tuscany and Piedmont
Italy’s truffles are well known by foodies throughout the world and while the white truffle from Alba in Piedmont has an almost cult following, a wonderful alternative throughout the non-autumnal months is the black summer truffle which can be found in certain areas of Tuscany and Umbria. There are dozens of types of truffles, some of the most famous ones in Italy being the white truffle from Piemonte (Tuber Magnatum Pico), Summer Truffle (Tuber Aestivum Vitt) which comes from many areas including Tuscany’s San Miniato, and the black truffle from the Umbrian village of Norcia (Tuber Melanosporum Vitt). Harvested as far back as in Ancient Greek civilization, truffles are essentially a prized and very expensive mushroom and truffle hunts are a fascinating way to discover how these gourmet jewels are found (underground and sniffed out by trained truffle hounds) and used in Italian gastronomy. Truffles are known to have been used as aphrodisiacs in the past, and the aroma is indeed heady and wonderfully overpowering, and the flavors perfectly complement rich and velvety Italian wines such as the Sagrantino from Umbria’s wine producing hamlet of Montefalco.
We have designed this one-day gourmet day excursion for food and wine lovers looking for a unique experience. Our tours are private and Mercedes chauffeured and this particular truffle hunt day trip can begin in Arezzo or Perugia, among other cities. Your elegant and friendly driver will pick you up, and you will travel to the historic Umbrian town of Citta del Castello (north of Perugia and Assisi and east of the Tuscan city of Arezzo), where your hosts await. This morning you will have your own private truffle hunt complete with hounds, and follow it with a fun cooking class demonstration on how to incorporate truffles into your culinary repertoire. You will also learn how to preserve truffles. Enjoy lunch and spend the afternoon visiting Citta del Castello or another medieval city enroute to your hotel. This is a special day out and a “must do” for foodies visiting Tuscany or Umbria.
Truffle Hunting Tour Highlights:
- Private Truffle Hunt Umbria
- Cooking Class and Truffle Tasting
- Excursion to Citta del Castello
Below is a suggested Itinerary for your private Truffle Hunting Tour
-
umbria
Sample Umbria Truffle Hunting Itinerary
Truffle hunting - None
- Lunch with wine
- Privately Chauffeured Mercedes
In the morning, your private driver and elegant Mercedes will come pick you up at your hotel in Arezzo, Perugia, or Assisi.
Carry on to the Umbrian town of Citta del Castello to a wonderful truffle company known for their array of high-end products like truffle infused oils. You will go into the woods on a truffle hunt with your own escort and the dutiful truffle hounds.
Next up in a small, cozy kitchen you will receive a private cooking demonstration/ cooking class with three courses, using precious truffles! A convivial lunch is to follow with dishes such as baked tomatoes glazed with balsamic, Zucchini cream with truffles and delicious Chianina beef tagliata, all paired with local Umbrian wines of course. After lunch, visit the hill town of Citta del Castello, and enjoy the narrow streets and perhaps pop into the local art museum, or just take in the views.
In the late afternoon, your driver will take you back to your hotel. We hope you had a great time on this gourmet day excursion!
And this concludes your VIP Culinary Excursion.
