Truffle hunting & cooking tour Motovun
Hunt truffles with trained dogs in the Motovun forest, then cook with what you find.
You’ll follow truffle dogs through Motovun forest with the Karlić family, hunt for real Istrian truffles, taste homemade brandy and wine, cook traditional dishes together, even dessert gets its own truffle twist. Expect laughter around the kitchen table and stories you’ll remember long after you leave.
Step-by-step itinerary
Truffle hunting and tasting experience
- Visit Paladini village near Motovun
- Learn about Istrian truffles history
- Taste starter with truffle products
- Prepare and taste scrambled eggs
- Enjoy truffle dessert with chocolate
- Hunt truffles in Motovun forest
- Visit the first Truffle museum
What’s included
Your day includes breakfast with local cheese, honey, salami (all touched by truffles), homemade brandies, a live cooking session where you can help prepare scrambled eggs with fresh truffles for lunch, even dessert gets a twist with Belgian chocolate and more shaved truffle. Bottled water flows alongside Grandma’s red and white wine plus house-made liqueurs before you wander through Croatia’s first Truffle Museum: all hosted by the Karlić family near Motovun.
Times
- Every day 09:00 10:00 13:00
Before you book
Operated by Karlic Tartufi
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
Someone hands me a tiny glass of something sharp and golden (truffle brandy, apparently), and I’m still trying to figure out if I like it when Mrs. Karlić waves us over. We’re in Paladini, just outside Motovun. The air smells like wet leaves and woodsmoke, and there’s this gentle fuss as the truffle dogs bounce around, tails smacking our legs. Our guide (I think her name was Maja?) laughs at my shoes, “city shoes!” she says, and then we’re off into the forest behind the dogs, everyone a bit awkward at first but loosening up quick.
The ground is soft underfoot, and you can hear the dogs snuffling through the roots. There’s this moment where one of them freezes, nose pressed to the earth, and suddenly everyone goes quiet. You’d think finding a truffle would be dramatic, but it’s almost shy. Someone brushes away dirt and there it is, pale and knobbly in their palm. I didn’t expect to feel so giddy about fungus. Later back at the house we get a crash course on Istrian truffles (how they grow, why they’re so prized here), and then someone cracks eggs for lunch. Scrambled eggs with fresh truffle shavings right in front of us. Honestly I still think about that taste.
I tried to help grate truffles for dessert (truffles in chocolate? Who knew), but mostly just made a mess while Grandma poured more homemade wine. There’s this easy warmth in their kitchen. Everyone sharing food, stories slipping between Croatian and English, people laughing at my pronunciation (fair enough). Before we left we ducked into their little museum. It’s not fancy but you can see how much pride they take in this tradition. The whole thing felt less like a tour and more like being invited into someone’s home for an afternoon, which is maybe why it stuck with me.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Croatian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.
How long does the truffle hunting tour last?
The experience lasts about three hours from start to finish.
Is food included during the tour?
Yes, breakfast and lunch are both included, with plenty of truffles in each dish.
Where does the tour take place?
The tour is based in Paladini village near Motovun in Istria.
Are drinks provided on this tour?
Bottled water is included along with Grandma's red & white wine plus local truffle liquors.
Who leads the truffle hunting experience?
The Karlić family hosts and guides guests throughout the day.
Is there an option for night truffle hunting?
Yes, a night hunt is available which starts with tastings at sunset.
What kind of food will we try?
You’ll taste local cheese, honey, salami (all with truffles), scrambled eggs prepared live, and even a dessert with Belgian chocolate and truffles.
Do we visit any museums during this tour?
You’ll have time to visit Croatia’s first Truffle Museum on site.
Truffle hunting & cooking tour Motovun
3h · EN +1
from US$ 138 per person
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