Truffle Hunting in Istria with Three Course Meal

Every course, from starters to dessert, centers on truffles you pulled from the ground.

Hunt for truffles with trained dogs in Istria's woods, then cook and eat a three-course meal built around what you find. The Prodan family, now in their third generation of truffle hunting, guides you through the woods and teaches you their signature dish (scrambled eggs with fresh truffles, prepared in front of you), while you learn the history and secrets of this expensive ingredient. The experience lasts about two and a half hours and includes boots, raincoats, aperitifs of local brandy, and local wine with the meal. Dietary adaptations are available with notice.

The experience

The hunt starts in the Prodan family's private woods with their trained truffle dogs, who do the actual finding while you follow and learn what to watch for. The dogs work the forest floor, and when they locate a truffle, you see the whole process of extraction and identification. This is not a demonstration. You are moving through the woods, following the dogs, and watching the real work happen in front of you. Afterward, you head to the family's kitchen with whatever the dogs have found.

The meal is built around the truffles you just hunted. It opens with three types of homemade truffle spreads, truffle cheese, truffle salami, and olive oil infused with truffles. For the main course, the Prodan women prepare their signature scrambled eggs with fresh truffles while you watch from the kitchen. They walk you through the technique and the small details that make the dish work. A fresh green salad dressed with white truffle balsamico comes alongside. Dessert is vanilla ice cream topped with white truffle honey. Throughout the meal, you drink homemade elderflower juice, water, and local wine. Every single course contains truffles, even the salad.

The experience runs about two and a half hours total. You get boots and raincoats for the woods, and the family speaks English, Italian, or Croatian. Dietary needs (vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free) can be accommodated if you mention them when you book. Infants can come in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Guided truffle hunting in the Prodan family's private woods with trained dogs.
• boots and raincoats for the hunt.
• three-course truffle meal (starters, scrambled eggs with fresh truffles, salad, and dessert).
• aperitif of local brandies.
• homemade elderflower juice, water, and local wine with the meal.
• educational instruction about truffle history and preparation techniques.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish, Italian and Croatian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Stroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Prodan Tartufi

Is this one for you?You do the hunting itself (following the dogs through the woods and watching them work), then observe the Prodan family cook your catch into every course, so you understand both where truffles come from and how to prepare them. This suits anyone who wants hands-on discovery in the forest combined with kitchen instruction, rather than a passive meal or a cooking class alone.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Italian and Croatian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What exactly do the truffle dogs do during the hunt?

The trained dogs search the forest floor for truffles while you follow and watch them work. When a dog locates a truffle, you see the extraction and learn how to identify what the dogs have found.

Will I actually cook part of the meal myself?

You watch the Prodan family prepare the dishes, including their signature scrambled eggs with fresh truffles, so you see the whole technique and the secrets they use. You do not cook, but you observe every step from start to finish.

What happens if the dogs don't find many truffles?

The meal is prepared with the truffles found during your hunt, and the family has access to fresh truffles for the dishes. The three-course meal is guaranteed regardless of the day's hunt results.

Can I visit Buzet town during this experience?

The experience includes views of the old town of Buzet from the family's location, but the itinerary focuses on the hunt and the meal preparation. A separate visit to Buzet would need to be arranged outside this activity.