Top 5 Truffle Tours of Italy

Truffles are one of the most expensive foods in the world so what better way is there to experience this exclusive taste sensation than on one of the many premier truffle tours of Italy? Ranked amongst the best destinations for luxury holidays, Italy delivers lush natural beauty, enchanting historic buildings, vibrant cultural happenings and charming local hospitality, along with the rare opportunity to savour the indulgent musky aroma and flavour of fresh truffles, together with many more gastronomic delights.

There are hundreds of species of truffles (fungi that develops underground) but connoisseurs most covet the ‘tartufo bianco’ or white truffle (Tuber magnatum) and the ‘tartufo nero pregiato’ or black truffle (Tuber melanosporum). The finest samples fetch as much as $5000 per kilogram. Fortunately, the powerful flavour means that only a little is required to impart its special magic and, at the height of the season from October through December, truffle tours of Italy offer a feast of lavish dishes laced with the delectable treat.

Many regions hold festivals celebrating the truffle (tartufo) and mushrooms (funghi) which add to the colour and excitement of the truffle tours of Italy. If you are searching for the perfect blend of fine food, stunning scenery, romantic accommodation and lively entertainment for your next luxury holiday. Italy has five destinations to place at the top of your list and they are;

1. Piedmont

Alba is the home of one of the oldest and prestigious Italian truffle events. The bustling white truffle festival and market takes place from late September to mid November and includes concerts, the truffle world auction and an endless array of gastronomic delicacies. The taste indulgences are not limited to the fair as the town boasts numerous delicatessens selling truffle-based pastas, cheeses and extracts. Wander into the surrounding hills to discover magnificent scenery, castles and towers, churches and convents, and local wineries.

2. Tuscany

Soak in the serenity of the famed landscapes and quaint medieval towns on one of the most romantic truffle tours of Italy. Several towns throughout the region hold truffle fairs through November. Here, the discerning gourmet not only has the opportunity to satisfy every desire for the finest food and wines, but may also learn to cook quintessentially Italian dishes from professional chefs. The fairy tale is completed by accommodation suitable for a king or queen. As you relax in your 12th century castle and gaze over the estate of vineyards, olive-groves, beautiful gardens and rolling Tuscan hills, you will know you have experienced the very best luxury holidays Italy has to offer.

3. Umbria

Just east of Tuscany landlocked Umbria boasts its own impressive collection of medieval architecture. Gothic fortresses and watchtowers whisper stories of mystical times gone by. Known as ‘the green heart of Italy’, the fertile farmlands and dark emerald mountain ridges combine to form a majestic backdrop for those exploring the truffle tours of Italy. The townships of Pietralunga and Citta di Castello both host truffle markets in November.

4. Le Marche

This lesser known region is a secret treasure, with quaint towns, looming castles, holy shrines and occasional views through to the shores of the Adriatic. Acqualagna, which claims the title of ‘the truffle capital’, has a white truffle fair that serves as a quiet sojourn on the truffle tours of Italy.

5. Emilia-Romagna

It has been said that nowhere else do Italians eat more heartily nor dance more joyfully than in Emilia-Romagna. Considering the passion for fine food and good living displayed throughout the county, the people of this region must be remarkable merrymakers indeed. Savigno and Sasso Marconi host local fairs celebrating the bounties of the earth, including the treasured truffle.

As you will discover, truffles are best savoured fresh within a few days of harvest. However, like so many travellers, you’ll no doubt be reluctant to leave the gastronomic wonders behind. If this is the case, bottles of truffle oil, truffle butter and tubes of truffle paste are all good options to carry the small part of the magical truffle tours of Italy home with you.