San Miniato: Truffle Hunting & 3-Course Lunch with Local Guide

Hunt Truffles Outside Florence, Then Eat Them for Lunch

You take a train from Florence to San Miniato, hunt truffles with Francesca and her dog for about an hour, then sit down to a three-course lunch built around what you found: bruschetta, fresh pasta, and dessert with wine. Transport from the station is arranged for you. Plan for a half-day out of Florence, with the hunt starting at 11am.

Step-by-step itinerary

Truffle hunting and gourmet lunch

• Meet Francesca at farm near San Miniato
• Walk in forest with truffle dog
• Return to dining room
• Enjoy 3-course truffle lunch with wine

The experience

"Where's the dog going to dig?" you ask Francesca as you step into the forest outside San Miniato, and she just smiles. The dog already knows. You're standing on her family property, about 10 minutes from the town center, and the truffle hunt starts at 11am sharp. The walk takes roughly an hour, moving through the trees while her trained dog sniffs the ground, and when something clicks, you watch the whole thing unfold: the dig, the reveal, the small dark knob of truffle that cost restaurants in Florence three times what you'll pay for lunch.

Getting there from Florence is straightforward. You take the regional train (Reg 18285) departing at 9:38am, arriving in San Miniato at 10:19am. Tight but doable if you're staying in the city center. The company can arrange a local taxi driver, Antonio, to meet you at the station and drive you straight to the farm, so you don't have to figure out directions or negotiate a fare. That 10-minute ride gives you time to breathe before the hunt starts.

After the forest, you sit down in the dining room and eat what you found. The menu is built around truffles: bruschetta topped with fresh shavings and butter, tagliolino pasta dressed in truffle, and tiramisu or biscotti with Vinsanto, a traditional Tuscan dessert wine. Drinks are included throughout. It's not a cooking class or a tasting seminar. It's the simplest thing, the thing that makes sense: you hunt, you eat, you taste the wine, and three hours later you're back on the train to Florence.

The whole experience sits between 11am and early afternoon, so it fits into a day trip without eating your whole schedule. If you're in Florence with a free morning and want to do something that feels less like tourism and more like actually being somewhere, this is the move.

What’s included

The experience includes the truffle hunt with Francesca and her dog, a three-course lunch with fresh truffles, wine and drinks throughout the meal, and the option to arrange a local taxi from San Miniato train station to the farm.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Saturday

AgesAdult (8 to 90 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by The Truffle Hunter

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Florence and want a half-day out of the city that doesn't require renting a car or figuring out transport: the train connection and taxi pickup handle both, leaving you to focus on the hunt and the meal.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How do I get from Florence to San Miniato?

Regional train Reg 18285 departs Florence at 9:38am and arrives at 10:19am. The company can arrange a local taxi driver to meet you at the station and take you to the farm (10 minutes away). You can also book the taxi yourself if you prefer.

How long is the truffle hunt?

About one hour. You walk through the forest with Francesca and her trained dog, who locates the truffles. After the hunt, you return to the farm for lunch.

What exactly do I eat at lunch?

A three-course menu: bruschetta with fresh truffles and butter, tagliolino pasta dressed with truffles, and either tiramisu or biscotti with Vinsanto (a Tuscan dessert wine). Drinks are included.

What time does the experience start?

11am at the farm, which is 10 minutes outside San Miniato town center. If you're coming from Florence, you'll need to catch the 9:38am train to arrive on time.

Is this suitable for children?

Infants must sit on an adult's lap. The walk is moderate and suitable for all fitness levels, though it involves forest terrain.

What if I have food allergies?

Inform the company on the booking form or contact them directly before your date so they can adjust the menu.

Can I do this without taking the train from Florence?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby. You can also arrange your own transport to the farm in San Miniato.