It has got travel experiences that are entertaining, educational and then there are those experiences that you never forget in the foreseeable future. The last type is a private truffle hunting tour in Istria. It is an enchanted area in northern Croatia, full of rolling hills, medieval hill top towns and great wines, but the best treasure of it all is located under the forest floor: the famous Istrian truffle of the world.

Hunting truffles in Istria is not only an experience, but a trip into a strong local culture. The adventure starts in the foggy woods of Motovun and Buzet where specially trained dogs are the guide. Your professional truffle hunter, who in most cases belongs to generations of truffle hunters, will tell you the secrets of the forest, how to train dogs, and of the interesting culture of truff. In a few minutes, you will be strolling through the ancient oak forest and the only one sound that you can hear is the sound of leaves beneath you and the snorting of the dogs with an excitement of their noses, an all-consuming distraction of the real world.

It is the excitement of seeing a dog find a truffle that you cannot really comprehend until you have done it. Everyone is silent one moment and the next the dog is frantically digging, the hunter with him, and there it is a fresh truffle, warm out of the ground. You may now and then get a number of smaller ones; or you may come across a large one, quite round and beautiful. Each and every hunt is unique and the randomness of the same is what makes the experience memorable.

Nothing stops at the truffle hunt. It is followed by a culmination, a classic tasting or a gourmet lunch cooked using the truffles you or the dogs had located. Newly truffled scrambled eggs, homemade pasta, cheese or olive oil – tastes like pure air, perfume and nothing you can find at the store. This should be accompanied by a glass of local Malvazija or Teran and you will realise why Istria is gradually emerging as one of the most promising gastronomies in Europe.

Then why should the private truffle hunting tours be worth it? First, exclusivity. It gives you a customized experience at a speed and interest that suits you, be it a food-minded traveler, an inquisitive traveler or a couple out on a romantic vacation. You get to know about truffles first hand with local experts whose lives center on truffles, their stories, their heritage and their obsession make the tour an experience and a reality. Second, the tour will drive you through some of the most stunning sceneries in Istria, which you would not explore by yourself. Even autumn, in particular, gives the forests warm colors and introduces a magic atmosphere into the whole experience.

Flexibility is another factor that makes private tours important. Want a shorter hunt? A longer one? A gourmet pairing? Lunch with wine flights of the local wine? Experiences that are personal enable one to customize them which is not possible in group tours. Family tourists, couples that celebrate special events, and luxury travelers are all about the privacy and comfort of a customized excursion. To a large number of guests, the hunt is the highlight of their whole Croatian holiday. It brings them in touch with the nature, presents them to centuries old traditions and serves them the tastes of the world class all within a few memorable hours.

The white truffles of Istria are the best in the world, even being compared to the ones that grow in the Alba region of Italy, but the atmosphere here is much more personal, natural and not overwhelmed by mass tourism. InTravel Croatia associates with most successful local truffle hunters to provide personalized and hand-made experiences of truffle hunting in Istria. You have a couple of hours to hike in the forest, a high-end gourmet tasting or a one-day wine and truffle adventure around Motovun, Buzet and the local countryside, we will personalize the details to make your adventure really unforgettable. In case you are seeking the experience of tradition, nature, gastronomy and a certain degree of mystery, a private truffle hunting tour in Istria is a choice that is well worth it, and something that you will be discussing long after your vacation is complete.