Gourmands, pack your bags: This truffle season, luxury Italian hotels offer special packages that enable you — aided by personal guides and canines — to comb the famed Tuscan and Piedmont regions for the flavorful fungi.
Castello di Casole, Siena
Overlooking the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, this scenic hotel offers an autumnal truffle-hunting package. During your three-night stay, take a half-day trip into Crete Senesi in the hills of Siena with a guide as well as truffle-sniffing Lagotto Romagnolo dogs. Besides the delicacies you manage to uncover during your outing, you’ll also receive a Castello di Casole apron and truffle-based recipes — which you’ll want to re-create once you’ve touched down back home — from the hotel’s chef, Daniele Sera. Available through November 15.
Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan
Head to Milan for a three-night stay at Hotel Principe di Savoia, where you can experience all things truffle-related. Your time at the hotel will include an excursion to the medieval village of Roddi — a little less than two hours outside of Milan in the Piedmont region — to search for truffles in the morning with the help of specially trained hunting dogs, followed by a four-course lunch in Alba. If you didn’t get your fill of truffles, visit the 82nd International Alba White Truffle Fair (open Saturdays and Sundays through November 18) to buy some as well as engage in fun activities such as sensory and smell tests, wine tastings and live chocolate sculpture creations. Available through November 30.
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Florence
This classic Florence hotel has a three-night-stay, truffle-hunting package. During your half-day trip, head out to Savini Farm, a country escape near Pisa, to scavenge for the decadent white truffles. Members of the Savini family will help you navigate the woods to forage for fungi, all the while divulging details on proper truffle preparation and cooking techniques. Also included in the package is dinner for two at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Il Palagio, where executive chef Vito Mollica will whip up truffle-laden dishes. Available through December 15.
Photo Courtesy of Dorchester Collection
