Truffle Hunting & Tasting in Istria with a Local Guide - Day Trip — CALL

Meet Alex
A former foreign correspondent with a background in art history and history, Alex (Aleksandar) is passionate about the food, wine and the truffles of the Istrian region, the home of his ancestors. Alex spent time in his early years working with top wine merchants and restaurants in Napa Valley and New York City. Inspired by his culinary work abroad, he returned home committed to showcasing the high-quality produce of his native Istria. A licensed guide of greater Istria, Alex is also a trained wine sommelier and an expert in olive oil and truffle tasting. Truffles are an important part of the culture and cuisine of Istria and Alex loves how they connect him to nature and to his ancestors. In the foothills of Motovun, a beautiful village atop a hill in Istria, learn about truffle hunting and tasting and some of the region’s many exceptional food products.

Food tour: (4-20 guests) Your host Alex will pick you up from your hotel on the western coast of Istria and drive you one hour to Livade, where your truffle experience takes place. Your experience will take place during a truffle fair weekend, one of 10 special weekends organized annually by the region. Start off your experience with a group truffle hunt! Head into the woods to go truffle hunting with Alex, truffle hunting dogs and a truffle master. An electric train will take you closer to the truffle hunting region, a few miles into the woods. Walk through the woods, following the lead of the dogs under oak, elm and poplar trees to uncover truffles found in the rich soil of this Istrian region. While the truffle hunting experience organized for the fair is open to other travelers who may also be present during the hunt, Alex will be your private truffle and tour guide. Your hunt may last up to an hour as you watch how truffles are collected and learn about the different types of truffles found in this region. Return to the fair and share a truffle-inspired lunch with Alex at a local restaurant. Choose between homemade pasta with black truffles or a truffle burger that you can enjoy over a glass of wine. After lunch, Alex will help you explore the fair where you can taste and sample some of the region’s best products, from white and black truffle-infused products, to cheese, to world famous olive oils. In addition to the food samples, you will be provided a glass to taste some of the many wines produced in the area. End your visit with a short trip to a local honey producer where you will get to taste some spectacular Istrian honey. Around 4pm, you will depart for your hotel.

Notes:
1. Please note this experience is only available on Saturdays and Sundays between 14 Sep - 17 Nov each year.
2. This experience includes pick up and drop-off in a private car or van from towns along the western coastline of Istria, including Trieste.
3. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and walking shoes or sneakers.