The Great Italian Truffle Hunt

Piemont – A gem overlooked. It is a region where the dramatic Italian Alps bow down to meet the Velvet softness of rolling green vineyard hills. It seems to exist as a peaceful buffer zone, between the rugged mountains to the north and the vast open horizons to the south. This weekend we are based out of Turin (It. Torino), a city of aristocratic elegance, defined by Baroque palaces, miles of covered arcades and a rich scent of melted chocolate and fine espresso drifting from it’s 1900 century cafes.

Day 1: The Journey

This morning, we board our comfortable motor coach and head south, driving right through the heart of the magnificent Alps to the vineyard-lined valleys of northern Italy. Arrived in the grand city of Turin, we check into our hotel in the late afternoon. Once you’ve had a chance to settle in, unpack, and freshen up, the real fun begins. During some free time, this afternoon you can already get a magical glimpse of our majestic host city. This evening we reconvene for our first delicious, authentic taste of regional Italian cooking!

Day 2: The Sovereign Soul of Turin

After breakfast, we step into the past with our local tour guide. Our morning begins with the magnificent Piazza Castello, the main square and epicenter of royal power as well as the monumental Palazzo Reale. We will marvel at the Cathedral San Giovanni Battista and check out the Arcades, the glass-and-iron vaulted shopping atriums. To crown your morning, enjoy a serene stroll through the palace’s manicured, hidden Royal Gardens designed by André Le Nôtre, the legendary landscape architect to King Louis XIV of France.

The rest of the day is yours to explore. Perhaps sink in to a velvet seat at one of the historic Cafe’s like Caffè Baratti & Milano or Caffè Mulassano, where the air smells of roasted beans and polished mahogany and induldge in a Bicerin, Turin’s iconic, sacred ritual of layered, bittersweet hot chocolate, dark espresso, and a velvety cloud of cold whipped cream served in a delicate glass.

Should you wish to shop in a grand, orderly, and deeply elegant fashion, Turin's retail heart is unified by miles of magnificent 17th-century covered porticoes, allowing you to browse comfortably even if an autumn shower rolls softly off the distant Alps.  

Day 3: The Earthly Luxury of Alba

Lace up your comfortable walking shoes, because today is dedicated to the hunt for culinary gold! Following breakfast, we head south toward Alba, arriving at the historic Cortile della Maddalena for the legendary Alba White Truffle World Market. Far from a typical weekend market, this is an exclusive gourmet fair, a true feast for the senses.

The air inside the grand pavilion is thick with aromas of fresh earth, honey, and wild truffles. As you wander the vibrant aisles, you will find passionate local hunters (Trifulau) showcasing their prize finds alongside over a hundred stalls of the region’s finest gastronomic treasures. Taste your way through aged Castelmagno and creamy Robiola cheeses, artisanal salami infused with truffle, and rows of golden-yellow, hand-pinched Agnolotti del Plin pasta and for the sweet finale, sample the prized local Piedmontese hazelnuts, soft Torrone nougat, and rich, handmade truffle chocolates. It is a sophisticated culinary playground where the region’s finest flavors come alive.

Later this morning we will meet and follow our Truffle-hunter and his skilled dog into a forested area, searching beneath oak and poplar trees for buried white gold.

Lucky at the Truffle search or not, we believe we earned ourselves a stop at a local Winery for a thorough tasting of the local wines including the famous Barolo, a red wine grape originating here in the Piemont region. Invigorated with a snack we will head back to our Hotel in Turin, for you to have time to spend one last evening in this wonderful metropolis.

Day 4: Home Run

Today it is time to say “Arrivederci Bella Italia”! After breakfast, we are packing up all the magical sights, yummy smells, and delicious tastes right into our hearts and head back north. Before we officially cross the border and leave Italy behind, we are pulling over for a delightful mid-day indulgence at the world-famous Lake Como. Now, we can't promise George Clooney will be home to wave us welcome from his balcony, but the town itself is more than ready to entice. With its strikingly elegant historic center, a vibrant collection of chic restaurants and lakeside cafés, it is the absolute perfect backdrop for an extended lunch break. And if your suitcase still has a little breathing room? Como’s elegant boutiques are open and waiting for that essential, last-minute Italian luxury souvenir.