Explore the Beautiful Tuscan Countryside with Truffle Hunting
Guests of the Three Spa Properties can Unearth the Gastronomic Treasure from September until December
Fonteverde, Bagni di Pisa and Grotta Giusti, part of the Italian Hospitality Collection, are offering guests the opportunity to explore the Tuscan countryside by participating in Italy’s most prestigious tradition, Truffle Hunting. Tuscany is well-known for having an environment conducive to growing the elusive white truffle and the areas of San Giovanni d’Asso, close to Fonteverde, and San Miniato, just a stone’s throw from Bagni di Pisa and Grotta Giusti, are particularly rich in the sought-after ingredient.
Guests of the hotel will now be able to forage for the prized delicacy from September until December. To find the prestigious white truffle, guests are advised to visit in the Autumn when the finest of all fungi is at its most plentiful.
Truffle hunts for visitors are organised together with an expert and authorised English speaking truffle hunter and his well-trained dog. During the expedition guests will be given a complete explanation of what truffles are, how they reproduce and what their ideal habitat is. The truffle reserves visited are not cultivated; the rare truffles grow spontaneously so are highly protected and can only be collected by authorised truffle hunters.
After a morning foraging the woods with a faithful hound by their side, guests visiting in November can head to the market at the famous White Truffle Festival in Crete Senesi, which takes place on the 9th – 10th and 16th – 17th of November 2019 at San Giovanni d’Asso. Guests of Bagni di Pisa and Grotta Giusti can visit the White Truffle Festival of San Miniato, which is held on the 9th – 10th, 16th – 17th and the 23rd – 24th of November 2019. At both events, frequented by truffle enthusiasts and professionals of the industry, prized truffles are exhibited and sold and a host of delicious tastings are on offer.
For guests who wish to relax and unwind, Fonteverde, Bagni di Pisa and Grotta Giusti’s prestigious spa’s offer an even better experience in the winter months, as the cooler temperatures produce clouds of therapeutic steam above the thermal pools.
A good level of fitness is advised in order to go truffle hunting, particularly for those travelling in the autumn when the white truffle hunts take guests to heavily wooded areas. Long trousers and sturdy walking shoes are required. If advance notice is given the truffle hunter can choose more accessible truffle hunting grounds.
Nightly rates at Grotta Giusti start from €148 (£132*) per person per night in a Comfort room on a B&B basis. Rates also include wi-fi, access to spa and fitness facilities. For further information or to book please email travel@grottagiustiapa.com or call +39 0578 572333.
Nightly rates at Bagni di Pisa start from €155 (£138*) per person per night in a Comfort room on a B&B basis. Rates also include wi-fi, access to spa, thermal pools and fitness facilities. For further information or to book please email travel@bagnidipisa.com or call +39 0578 572333.
Nightly rates at Fonteverde start from €198 (£177*) per person per night in a Queen room on weekdays on a B&B basis. Rates also include wi-fi, access to spa and fitness facilities. For further information or to book please email travel@fonteverdespa.com or call +39 0578 572333.
*Price in pound sterling accurate according to today’s exchange rate.