Hunting for truffles feels like a real-life treasure quest. You’ll head into the Montefiesole hills with a guide and a specially trained dog, then top it off with a 3-course lunch built around fresh truffles and wine. It’s one of those Florence-area experiences where you spend actual time outdoors, not just tasting and moving on.

I especially love how hands-on the hunting part is. You learn the basics of how truffles are found, and you’re in the forest on the estate—where the hunt becomes the story, not a quick photo stop. I also like that the food isn’t an afterthought: the meal is designed around truffle season, paired with organic wine at lunch.

One thing to plan for: transportation. The tour doesn’t include pickup, so if you’re using rail into the area, you may need to arrange a taxi or local transport to reach the farm and then get back—costs can add up.

Key points to know before you go

• Truffle hunt with trained dogs in the forest of the estate, led by an English-speaking professional guide
• Montefiesole, just outside Florence: countryside walking plus that classic Tuscan-food payoff
• 3-course truffle lunch with wine (and multiple wine tastings during the meal)
• Small group size with a maximum of 20 people, keeping it more personal than big-bus tours
• On-site truffle product shopping for things like truffle items, wine, and extra virgin olive oil
• Vegetarian option available if you flag it at booking

Truffle hunting in Montefiesole: what you’re really signing up for

This is a seasonal truffle picking experience tied to a working property in Tuscany. You’ll be in the hills around Montefiesole, walking in the forest area of the estate while the guide explains how truffles are harvested and why this tradition matters here.

The dog is the star of the show. You’ll see how trained sniffer dogs help locate truffles in the ground, and you’ll understand why this is such a hands-on craft. Even if you’re a first-timer, the hunt gives you a clear picture of the process: patience, timing, and reading what the dog signals.

You should also know the pace is tied to the hunt. Some parts feel relaxed, but you’re there to do the job—look, wait, and pay attention. If you want a hands-on food story that feels grounded in real work, this fits well.

Fattoria Lavacchio BIO Winery forest hunt (and meeting Faye)

The experience begins at Fattoria Lavacchio AgriResort, then you’ll spend the next stretch at the estate’s BIO winery area for the actual hunt. Expect about two hours of time in the forest with a guide and the truffle dog.

Here’s the detail I like most: you’re not just watching someone else work. The guide walks you through the long-standing Tuscan tradition of truffle harvesting, and you get a real sense of what makes truffle season special. You’ll be learning as the hunt unfolds, so the information doesn’t feel like a lecture.

There’s also a nice personal touch mentioned for the winery stop: you might be accompanied by Faye, the owner. That can add a warm, family-run feeling to the experience, especially if questions come up mid-hunt. It’s not something you can count on, but it’s a great sign that this isn’t a faceless operation.

Practical tip: wear shoes you trust on uneven forest ground. You’re going to be outside for a couple hours, and truffle-hunting areas aren’t polished walkways. Bring layers too, since Tuscan weather can shift, especially when you’re in the hills.

The 3-course lunch at Fattoria Lavacchio AgriResort with wine tastings

After the hunt, you’ll settle in for a three-course lunch centered on fresh truffles. This part runs about two hours, giving you enough time to slow down, eat well, and ask questions without feeling rushed.

This meal is paired with the estate’s organic wine. What stands out is that it includes three types of wine tasting during lunch, not just a single pour. That’s a meaningful difference in value: you get to compare styles rather than tasting once and moving on.

You’ll likely notice that truffle-forward meals can be subtle or intense depending on how they’re handled. The nice thing here is that the menu is built around “fresh truffles,” so you’re tasting the seasonal ingredient as the focus. You also get the Tuscan rhythm of lunch as a proper break, not a 20-minute snack.

If you’re a food-and-wine person, this is where the tour really pays off. You leave with more than “I ate truffles.” You understand what estate wine tastes like alongside the local ingredient, and you get a clearer sense of how truffles show up in Tuscan cooking.

Vegetarian plans are available. If you want that option, tell the provider when you book so they can prepare the right meal.

Souvenir shopping: truffle products, wine, and olive oil

There’s time on-site to pick up souvenirs after the meal. You can look for truffle products, wines, and extra virgin olive oil at the property.

This is useful even if you don’t plan to bring much home. Truffle products are one of those categories where quality varies a lot, and buying on the estate can help you stick closer to what you just experienced. Olive oil and wine also make sense as gifts because they’re practical and easy to pack.

Keep it simple: decide what you’re comfortable carrying and what you’ll actually use. Truffle items can be pricey, and it’s easy to overbuy once the kitchen has you thinking about truffles for hours.

Price and value: what $135.98 buys you

At $135.98 per person, you’re paying for a mix of field time, expert hosting, and an ingredient-heavy lunch. Compared with “just eat truffles at a restaurant” deals, the value here is the hunt itself: the guide-led forest walk and the trained dog component.

A couple points make the price easier to justify:

• You get a small group experience (maximum 20), which helps the guide stay engaged and explain things as you go.
• Lunch includes three courses plus three wine tastings, so you’re not just getting one drink pairing.
• The setting is an estate experience, tied to a working agricultural property rather than a staged studio activity.

Now, the big caveat is transport. The tour does not include hotel pickup/drop-off or transportation to and from attractions. If you’re coming from Florence by train, you’ll want a plan to get to Via di Montefiesole, 52, 50065 Pontassieve (FI) and back.

One real-world note from past participants: if you need to arrange transport from the station, it can add about €50 in total. Even if your cost ends up lower, build a buffer so the day doesn’t surprise you.

So yes, it’s not the cheapest way to do a Florence-area food day. But if you want the hunt plus the meal, it’s one of the more complete truffle experiences you can do in the region.

Duration and pacing: 4 hours that don’t feel rushed

The tour runs about 4 hours. With roughly two hours for the hunt and two hours for lunch, the timing is built to keep the day balanced.

The hunt time matters because it’s not just for show. Truffle hunting takes patience, and the dog needs space and cues to do its work. The guide keeps the session moving, but it still feels like you’re spending time in the countryside rather than sprinting from stop to stop.

Lunch time also matters. Two hours is long enough to actually enjoy the courses and tastings without feeling like you’re being fed and sent away. That’s where you’ll likely slow down and start to connect the dots between what you learned outside and how truffles show up in the food.

Who should book this truffle picking experience

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• A Tuscan countryside day that’s not only about museums
• An experience where food connects to place, with wine and truffle season as the theme
• A fun activity that teens and adults can share (you’re outdoors, you learn something practical, and you end with a real meal)

It may not be the best fit if you:

• Need a fully car-free day with zero coordination, since there’s no transport included
• Hate walking on uneven ground, since the forest hunt is part of the deal
• Are very sensitive to meal pacing, because lunch includes multiple courses and wine tastings

If you’re traveling with kids or teens, it can work well because the dog and the hunt make it more of a “thing to do” than a long sitting experience. And when the meal arrives, it becomes the reward phase of the day.

Should you book it? My honest take

I’d book this when you want a true truffle hunt + truffle lunch package in the Florence area, with a small-group feel and real estate hosting. The blend of forest time, trained dog work, and a multi-course meal is what makes it more memorable than the simpler “eat truffles” options.

I’d hesitate if transport is your weak spot. Plan how you’ll reach the meeting point in Pontassieve and budget extra if you need taxis or other local connections. Once you solve that, the rest of the day is straightforward: hunt outside, eat well inside, and go home with truffle knowledge you can actually use.

Also, if vegetarian is on your list, book with that in mind early so they can prepare the right menu. The day is built around truffles, so it’s best not to assume substitutions will happen last-minute.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour meets at Fattoria Lavacchio AgriResort, Via di Montefiesole, 52, 50065 Pontassieve (FI), Italy. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the experience?

It’s about 4 hours total.

What’s included in the price?

You get an English-speaking professional guide, a 3-course lunch with fresh truffles, small-group semi-private tour time, and three types of wine tasting during the lunch.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, and you should advise the provider at the time of booking.

Do I get hotel pickup or transportation?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included, and transportation to and from the attractions isn’t included.

How big is the group?

The experience has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

No. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed. If it’s canceled because the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.