Truffle Hunting in the Woods of Istria and Wine Tasting with Alex

This is a unique opportunity to go truffle hunting with a local and explore traditional Istriane culture and cuisine. 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.