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361+ Reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp & Google
★★★★★
“Hi!! What an amazing day we had. Our tour guide was wonderful!!! So was the hunt, lunch, and winery. My family loved every minute. Ty so much! Do you happen to have a private tour to Siena for just my daughter and me, perhaps this coming Wednesday the 28th? We want to go to Siena / walk around/ maybe see San Gimignano (if it is not too far away). We want a max 6 hour day. Ty!!!”
★★★★★
“What an experience! We arrived at a gorgeous countryside estate on a cold, rainy day and were warmly welcomed by Francesca and her mother with a hot coffee. We explored the grounds and went truffle hunting, finding a few despite the weather — even Ares, their 11-month-old dog still in training, managed to find some. Afterwards we had a cooking lesson with Francesca and her mother before a delicious lunch paired with wines from the estate. The family has worked this land for six generations, and it shows. Highly recommended, rain or shine — we'll be back.”
★★★★★
“A few weeks ago my friend and I enjoyed a private truffle hunt with Francesca and her dog Aris, an authentic and memorable experience. Francesca shared plenty of insight on hunting, cooking with truffles, and training dogs, while Aris worked the soil and found four of them. The grounds are huge and full of history, and afterward we sat down in her carefully preserved old mansion for a multi-course lunch centered on truffles, paired with excellent wines. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime day.”
★★★★★
“The morning out with the guide and the dog was wonderful. The lunch, however, left us wanting more: a single fried egg with shaved truffle felt light, and a little more protein, or even some mushrooms, would have rounded it off.”
★★★★★
“My friend and I had a private tour with Francesca and her dog Aris, and it was truly special. The estate and the house are rustic, historic and beautiful. While we searched for truffles, Francesca walked us through the whole process and taught us about truffles, local history and dog training. Aris did brilliantly and found four. Back at the house, the multi-course lunch used truffles generously and was perfectly matched with wine. A once-in-a-lifetime kind of day.”
★★★★★
“This was my fourth year in a row hunting truffles with Francesca and her dogs, and it never gets old. Wonderful hosts, superb food and wine, and a warm, relaxed time in her beautiful family home. Highly recommended.”
★★★★★
“Booking was quick and easy, and the email communication was excellent from the very beginning. Francesca guided us on the truffle hunt, which was a wonderful and genuinely memorable experience. Afterward, the family welcomed us for a delicious lunch with excellent wines and such a warm, relaxed atmosphere. We were especially grateful to enjoy the meal in a cozy private dining room, where our whole group could spend time together without feeling rushed. We were a large family—seven adults, one child, and a baby—and every detail was handled perfectly. A truly outstanding experience from start to finish; we would give it ten out of ten.”
★★★★★
“From the moment we arrived, we felt genuinely welcomed. We started with a lovely coffee and an introduction to Ares, the enthusiastic one-year-old dog who would lead us on our truffle hunting adventure. Francesca was an incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming host, making the search both exciting and enjoyable. Her property is beautiful, and Ares did an amazing job finding three black truffles along the way. Afterward, we returned to the family home for a simple yet delicious homemade lunch, paired with excellent house wine. A truly authentic and memorable truffle hunting experience in Tuscany—highly recommended to anyone looking for a warm, personal day in the countryside.”
★★★★★
“Going truffle hunting with Francesca and her dog Ares was one of the best experiences of our trip to Italy. From the start, we could feel Francesca’s expertise and the warmth with which she welcomes her guests. Ares—still a young dog—was remarkably skilled at finding real truffles. Being able to enjoy what we had just found during a delicious lunch was the perfect way to end the day. Everything tasted fresh, local, and authentic. We also tried the truffle balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and bought some to take home—it was wonderful to know they were genuine local products. A fun, educational, and truly authentic experience that we would recommend to anyone visiting Italy. Thank you, Francesca and Ares, for making the day so special!”
★★★★★
“An unforgettable day in the Tuscan countryside. The truffle hunt was engaging from start to finish, and it was wonderful to see the dogs uncover six truffles so quickly. Our hosts made us feel completely at home, and the beautiful estate provided the perfect setting for a delicious meal accompanied by excellent local wines. I would gladly recommend this experience to anyone looking for an authentic and memorable taste of Tuscany.”
★★★★★
“Truffle hunting here was a wonderful experience — Niccolo was a knowledgeable guide and sommelier, and Francesca's warmth and love for what she does really comes through. We brought our two boys, both under 10, and they had a great time too. A must if you're visiting Florence.”
★★★★★
“Beautiful experience, incredible opportunity - well organized, skillfully executed, and warmly welcoming.”
★★★★★
“Matteo and the whole team looked after us wonderfully — a lovely day tasting truffles, olive oil, and wine in a beautiful, welcoming, family-run setting. They even made my birthday one I'll remember for a long time. Molte grazie!”
★★★★★
“The truffle-hunting experience was the highlight of our Italian trip. Francesca welcomed us warmly and made the day feel genuinely personal, sharing her knowledge and passion throughout. Between the search in the countryside and the delicious food and wine afterward, every part was memorable. We would happily return and recommend it to anyone visiting the area.”
★★★★★
“Vittorio, Francesca and the whole staff at the winery were great! Vittorio picked us up by the train station in Florence and took us truffle hunting first, followed by a great lunch. Levante the truffle hunting dog was the star of the show getting us some white and black truffles in this off-peak season. Thank you all!”
★★★★★
“We had the best time! Francesca was the best host. The property and house is stunning. She was very knowledgeable and we learned so much about truffles. We found quite a few black truffles. After hunting on their family's beautiful property we had an amazing truffle inspired meal her family prepared. Levante was our truffle hunting dog. He is very young, but has been trained well and he did an amazing job. We sampled the family wine and olive oil, enjoyed the food, and did a little shopping in their gift shop. I would highly recommend this tour. The tour started with Vittorio picking us up in Florence and driving us to the family farm.”
★★★★★
“Dear Francesca, last season, the truffle hunt with Chocolat was a wonderful experience. I will never forget the wine and truffle dishes at the San Miniato villa, so I hope to visit again this year.”
★★★★★
“We were three weeks into an Italy trip and realized October meant it was truffle season, so we tracked down Francesca's tour online and booked the hunt with lunch included. It had rained the night before, so the ground was properly muddy — thankfully the family-run outfit hands out boots and rain jackets before you head into the woods. We'd barely started walking before Levante, Francesca's dog, was already digging up truffles, and it was fascinating watching her gently coax them out of the ground.”
★★★★★
“A sensational experience from start to finish. Francesca was a wonderful host explaining about truffles, truffle hunting, the dogs, her land and history. Loved the walk on her land to find the truffles of which we found handfuls. And the meal and wine back at her villa was extraordinary. And her puppy Lunar was delightful. A must do!!!”
★★★★★
“Niccolo was our guide for our morning of truffle hunting and then the afternoon wine tour. We are so glad that we booked this version as it came with van Transporation. This was much easier. During the ride Niccolo taught us much about the region and Italian life. We spoke about education, music, and wine. On our truffle tour we found a black truffle and two white truffles. The lunch prepared with the truffles was wonderful. We highly recommend this tour and Niccolo as he is kind, passionate, and a wonderful conversationalist.”
★★★★★
“The truffle hunting and wine tasting were a great experience for the whole family. Francesca, Matteo and the dog, Levante, were amazing to meet and spend time with. Francesca was very knowledgeable about the truffles and Matteo was a great sommelier, pairing the meals with great wine. After the truffle hunting and meal, Matteo took us to a vineyard and showed us how the wine was made. Truly a memorable and delicious experience for all 6 of us. Would do again!”
★★★★★
“Niccolo was a great guide. We had so much fun at the farm finding truffles with Chocko, tasting the strawberry grapes wines and truffle products. Thanks to our hosts for the hospitality and delicious lunch.”
★★★★★
“We did the truffle hunting experience as a group of 40 the day after our wedding. Vittorio was very helpful in making sure that we had a bus big enough for the group and gave clear instructions on where to meet him in Florence for our pickup. Our group loved learning about truffles, meeting the dogs, and exploring the woods. We even found 4 truffles that day, though Luna ate one. The lunch is absolutely delightful. Each course is paired with wine and you get to try fresh bread with all of the different truffle oils.”
★★★★★
“The truffle hunt with Francesca and Choco was great, the estate was beautiful and the food after was delicious! Would highly recommend and hope to come back next time I am in Italy.”
★★★★★
“Wonderful truffle hunt tour followed by truffle lunch! Our family all had a fun time in this tour. This is a shared tour with other families but it was fun getting to know other families from around the globe. We were served coffee at the beautiful farm house before the tours started. We then went into the forest to look for truffles, we got around 200+ grams of truffles! Although we did not get to eat or bring our truffles home, the truffle lunch immediately followed the tour was really yummy and home cooked by the family. It was a really fun experience!”
★★★★★
“We had the Luxury Truffle Experience. It was a surprise celebration of my wife's 70th Birthday. From the moment Antonio met us at Fucecchio San Miniato Station, during the intense collaboration between the delightful Francesca and her dog, finding several white and black truffles along her secret forest path, to the exquisite multi-course truffle lunch in her family mansion, everything was perfect.”
★★★★★
“This was an excellent trip. Vittorio was a superb host for the day. We so enjoyed the truffle hunting in the woods of San Miniato with Francesca and her dog, Chocco. Chocco was the star and found the white winter truffles which we then ate in a superb 4 course lunch accompanied by wines made by Francesca's husband - just superb! Thank you so much”
★★★★★
“Francesca and Hilary were both amazing guides! The estate was beautiful and it was a really fun adventure. The food was a bonus and delicious, definetly worth the money!”
★★★★★
“My group did a private truffle hunt with Francesca and one of her dogs, Choco! Afterward we had probably the BEST four-course lunch at her family's beautiful estate and I have to say that was the best meal we had eaten during our week spent in Rome and Florence. Choco found three truffles and it was incredible watching dog and handler working as a team to find these delicacies.”
★★★★★
“I'd give this truffle hunt and cooking class six stars and two thumbs up! Informative and fun, the truffle hunt with Francesca was a great walk in the woods with Coco showing his penchant for finding both white and black truffles. The cooking class truly felt like an inclusive family experience with Francesca's mom teaching us the finer points of making gnocchi and stuffed zucchini with truffle sauce, of course! The meal was yummy, the wine flowed, and a good time was had by all!”
★★★★★
“We had a fantastic walk through the woods with Choco and it was eye opening to chat with Francesca about and see the process for truffle hunting. The walk was followed by an amazing truffle meal paired with delicious wines from their own winery. Amazing experience all around.”
★★★★★
“My husband and I booked this experience as part of our honeymoon and it was 100% worth it! We're from the US and have been road tripping down Italy and this was definitely a huge highlight of our trip. Hillary is AMAZING! She's so personable and hilarious, and gave us invaluable tips for the rest of our trip. She is also incredibly knowledgeable about wines, and was able to recommend things we had never thought to try before. We learned a ton, and had so much fun! It was also great to see what a good relationship she has with everyone we met on our trip from Franchesca to the waiters. The food we received with lunch was delicious, and we couldn't leave without purchasing truffle items to take home. We both recommend this for anyone interested in truffles. It was a day of great vibes, great food, and great laughs.”
★★★★★
“Hilary was our guide and she was so personable, entertaining, and knowledgeable! She knew some people in our group were celebrating their honeymoon (including us) and went above and beyond to make it special! I highly recommend this experience, it was so great!”
★★★★★
“Francesca and her team were absolutely wonderful. She was easy to communicate with, and she helped us organize all transport and timing. The launch point for the hunt is her lovely mansion dating from the 1400s that has been in her family for many generations. The truffle hunt itself was great - a nice walk through the woods while Francesca gave us the history of truffles, how to find them, and their seasons and answered our many questions with good humor and charisma. Then we returned to the home for a delicious meal - one we all agreed was the top three of our 10-day trip in Italy - that not only had truffles from her property, but estate olive oil and wine produced there as well. All delicious. Totally worth it for my two 78-year-old parents, myself (50), and my 10-year-old boys. Thanks, Francesca!”
★★★★★
“Wonderful! I can't say enough about the beautiful place, the hunt and the dog that helped us finding truffles. It was an experience I won't ever forget! I can thank enough Francesca and her mom and all the great people that makes the all experience amazing!”
★★★★★
“Hilary picked us up right on schedule and spent the drive giving us a crash course in Italian regional food history — genuinely interesting, not just filler. Once we met Francesca and her dog Choco, Hilary (a sommelier herself) walked us through the different truffle varieties and what makes Chianti Classico distinct before we even started hunting. Francesca's family home is lovely, and after some searching in the grounds we headed back for a meal where truffles showed up in every course. In the afternoon we moved on to a Chianti estate and tasted through several vintages plus a Super Tuscan, with Hilary showing us how to actually taste rather than just sip — good enough that a few of us bought bottles. On the drive back she gave us tips for the San Giovanni festival and pointed us toward some genuinely excellent gelato. A really well-rounded day — highly recommend.”
★★★★★
“Went in with modest expectations and came out impressed. The hike through the woods with the dog was genuinely fun, and we actually found a good number of truffles along the way. Back at the house, lunch was a proper three-course affair built around what we'd just dug up, with a few glasses of wine to go with it. The social side of it — everyone gathered around the table together — was a nice touch. Would recommend.”
★★★★★
“Hilary made this tour — genuinely amazing, warm, and endlessly informative about Italian history, wine, and truffles, with plenty of fun facts thrown in along the way. Everything about the day felt easy and conversational rather than scripted. The hunt itself was a proper adventure: Francesca has been doing this since she was six, and she pointed out all sorts of things along the trail — fossils, which mushrooms to avoid, that kind of thing — while Choco worked the ground and turned up some excellent truffles. One tip: wear pants you don't mind snagging on brambles, because you're really out in it. Lunch back at the villa was in a beautiful setting — Francesca and her mother couldn't have been more welcoming, and the truffle-laden spread (bruschetta, a fried egg with shavings on top, truffle pasta, even a sweet wine and cookies to finish) was excellent. The wine tasting that followed was well-paired and informative, and Hilary taught us a fair bit about choosing and ordering wine on our own going forward. Highly recommend to anyone who loves truffles, wine, or just a beautiful setting.”
★★★★★
“My fiancé and I went on an early January 2023 Truffle Hunt in San Miniato with Francesca and her adorable chocolate Lagoto followed by a cooking class with her mother and mother-in-law at their lovely home/villa! What an incredible day with the warm and knowledgeable family. This was most definitely a highlight after spending 2 weeks in Italy. Any truffle lover/foodie/dog enthusiast should definitely experience this adventure. ... such an authentic experience. Thanks!!!”
★★★★★
“The location is superb with a view from the hills over Florence. … He is a born entertainer so it's fun. … Highly recommended.”
★★★★★
“My wife and I had the pleasure of spending the day with Giulio Benuzzi, aka the Truffle Hunter … It was the best experience we had in what was an incredible vacation. … It was a once in a lifetime experience and I would recommend it to everyone.”
★★★★★
“… our truffle hunting experience with Giulio turned out to be one of the highlights of our Italy trip!!! … The truffle industry is fascinating and we really enjoyed learning more about it and experiencing our first ever truffle hunt!”
★★★★★
“As the reviews acknowledge, you have not experienced Italy unless you spend a day with Giulio the Truffle Hunter! … It is great to spend time with those who truly enjoy life and sharing it with others.”
★★★★★
“If you are ever near Florence, you MUST meet Giulio The Truffle Hunter. … We learned so much! … It was a truly unique and memorable experience that I would recommend to anyone who is travelling near the Tuscan region! You will not regret booking an experience with Giulio The Truffle Hunter!”
★★★★★
“Giulio is exceptionally gregarious and I found his knowledge and enthusiasm for the history and practice of truffle hunting to be infectious. … It turned out to be a delightful and easy-paced walk through the local forest. … I am certain that a day with Giulio, the truffle hunter, will be one of your best memories of Tuscany.”
★★★★★
“We loved every minute of our adventure with Giulio the Truffle Hunter … It was such a treat to learn all about the truffle hunting business, the science behind how truffles grow … We wound up staying longer than expected because we were having such a great time. It was truly an authentic experience.”
★★★★★
“Did I ever find the right guy! … Giulio makes the perfect guide for anyone curious/passionate about Italian cuisine, art and of course everything truffle. He is also warm, charming and a joy to spend time with. I can highly recommend Giulio's truffle hunt as a "must do" experience while in Tuscany/Florence.”
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