Pigs for hunting? In France and Italy, one of the most favored delicacies is truffles. Truffles are the fruiting body of a subterranean fungus - much like mushrooms are. They are usually found in association with tree roots and by highly prized as food in some Mediterranean cuisines. They have been known as the "diamond of the kitchen" and they are found and harvested from natural habitats.

Tuscany in Italy is one of the most important locations for truffle production and it is possible to go on truffle hunting tours. This is a great opportunity to see much more of European culture than just the normal Instagram selfies in front of national monuments.

About Truffles

  • Fungi: Truffles Are A Ectomycorrhizal Fungi
  • Price Of Truffles: White Truffles Can Sell For 15,000 Euros or $17,600 Per Kilo (2.2 Pounds)
  • Prized In: France And Parts Of Italy
  • Domestication: Farming Truffles Is Possible Now But Very Difficult

In these truffle hunting tours, the truffle hunter will show the tourists how to find these incredibly valuable condiments for Mediterranean cuisine. To find them, one must scour the forest floors. For some mushroom-based coffee, crazies see here.

Traditionally, the Europeans used trained truffle dogs and truffle hogs or pigs to find them because of pig's and dog's keen senses of smell. When it comes to truffle dogs they have a very keen sense of smell, they can be more easily controlled, but of course, they need to be trained. While with the bacon welding friends, pigs also have a very keen sense of smell, but they also have the tendency to eat the truffles they find. While dogs need to be trained the hogs have an innate ability to sniff out these tasty morsels.

One company in Florance called the Truffle Hunter is offering three choices of tours:

Truffle Hunting & Wine Tasting Tour

This is a great tour option for seeing Italy's love of truffles and wine in one go. In this tour, one will search for truffles with a specially trained truffle-hunting dog through the woods around Tuscany. Watch the doggy as he sniffs the forest flood seeking out the truffles and see how he gets excited as he finds them and starts digging. Truffles found are can be enjoyed in a delightful meal by the tourist.

After a brisk morning truffle hunt and after lunch, it's time to taste Italy's most renowned wine in the stunning region of Chianti. Learn all about winemaking in Italy and take in the gorgeous northern Italian countryside.

Related: Where To Go On A First-Time Italy Trip, And What To Know Before You Do

  • Includes: Lunch, Truffle Hunting, And Wine Tasting
  • Cost: 200 Euros ($235.00)
  • Schedule:

10.00 am: Depart From Florence

11.00 am: Truffle Hunt For An Hour

12.00 am: Truffle Based Lunch Time

2.00 pm: Wine Tasting time

3.30 pm: Start To Head Back To Florence

Truffle Walking Tour

If one can pass on the tempting wine tour and wants to save a buck or two, then there is the option of a truffle walking tour. This truffle side of the tour is the same as the truffle hunting-hound and includes the Italian truffle-based lunch. With this tour the tourist must find their own way to San Miniato - there is a train from Florence leaving every 30 minutes and the round trip costs around 11 Euros. The ride is around 40 minutes long.

  • Includes: Truffle Hunt And A Three Course Lunch Topped With Fresh Truffles
  • Excludes: Transportation
  • Cost: 110.00 Euros ($130.00)

Schedule:

11.00 am: Meeting At San Miniato

11:20 am: Truffle Hunting Time

12.40 pm: Truffle Based Lunch

Related: 20 Locations In Italy That Might Be Considered Tourist Traps, But They're Worth it

Tuscan Truffle Hunting Tour

The third option is the Tuscan Truffle Hunting Tour. With this tour, one enjoys the truffle hunt with the guide and his great truffle doggy-hound like with the other two tours. With this option, one is picked up from central Florence and shuttled in a private, air-conditioned minivan. The travel time is around half an hour. After the hunt, walk back to the truffle hunter's own house and enjoy a light 2-course lunch (with a truffle-based appetizer, followed by tagliolini al tartufo and wash it down with Italian wine).

  • Includes: Transportation, Two-Course Lunch, And The Truffle Hunt
  • Cost: 180 Euros ($212.00)

Schedule:

10.00 am: Leave Florence

11.00 am: On The Truffle Hunt Outside The Farm At San Miniato

12.15 pm: Tuffle Based Lunch Time (Pasta With Fresh Truffles)

3.00 pm: Return To Florence

Truffle hunting is not normally the first thing that springs to mind when people think about visiting Europe. But it is one of the most local and interesting things one can do. It is a refreshing break from endless impressive cathedrals, beers on the cobblestones in the old town, and seeing ruined castles (see too many of them, and like anything, it starts to get boring very quickly).

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