From city to city, Italy in the fall becomes a perfect destination for a gourmet holiday. With the first days of cold a period full of festivals begins, perfect for discovering the flavors and products typical of the different regions. From chestnuts to apples, from pumpkins to porcini mushrooms: walking around the villages during the coming weekends you can discover the gastronomic tradition and the soul of our country. Below you can find 10 festivals and fairs that celebrate one of the finest foods of Italian cuisine, one of the symbols of this season: truffles. All ideas for a perfect and delicious trip!
The International White Truffle Fair of Alba
Among the most important events of the Italian autumn there is certainly the International White Truffle Fair of Alba, in the heart of Piedmont. In a spectacular setting, between the vineyards and the countryside, every Saturday and Sunday of October and November Alba becomes the capital of the white truffle, proposing an immense market, but also folklore, historical re-enactments and debates.
Where to stay: just 8 kilometers from Alba, a typical farmhouse awaits you. Foresteria Settevie offers five romantic and comfortable rooms furnished in Piedmont style, perfect for a holiday in direct contact with nature.
Acqualagna, city of truffles
Even the lands of Acqualagna, a town of 4500 inhabitants that lies on the hills of Marche region just 40 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, generate one of the most precious products of the land. During the year there are three events dedicated to truffles: the most important is that of October and November, which celebrates the prized white truffle for three weekends. In February Acqualagna dedicates a fair to the precious black truffle and in July there’s the Regional Fair of the Black Summer Truffle.
Where to stay: Locanda della Valle Nuova awaits you a few kilometers from Acqualagna. Inside the organic farm you will find comfortable apartments, a swimming pool, incredible landscapes and hosts always ready to advise you on the best things to do in the surrounding area, as well as helping you to organize truffles hunting walks.
Among the hills of Monferrato
On 21st and 28th October 2018 the 64th Truffle Fair of Moncalvo will be held. The suggestive medieval city, which merges with the evocative landscape of Monferrato hills, offers visitors numerous tastings of typical dishes with truffles and not, such as agnolotti and bonet, all prepared with local ingredients. And do not forget a good glass of wine!
Where to stay: in Monferrato you can sleep inside a castle, a truly romantic location immersed in a splendid garden.
In the heart of Tuscany
In a pristine environment, in a land of indescribable beauty, the precious white truffle is born. In November, among the ancient streets and historic squares of the historic center of San Miniato you can find an open-air taste laboratory, perfect to appreciate the unique taste of white truffles, but also other excellences of Tuscan food and wine.
Where to stay: Podere Mazzana awaits you in the hills of Pisa, an organic farm that is characterized by its family welcome.
Tasting truffles and typical products while admiring Lake Garda
Perhaps you do not expect it, but even a few steps from the shore of Lake Garda you can find delicious truffles. The first weekend of October, in Tignole, it is possible to taste and buy truffles and typical products, take cooking lessons or take part in beautiful walks in search of truffles. All in a surprising and fascinating natural environment, which invites you to relax.
Where to stay: on the other side of the lake, in Malcesine, there is the Eco Hotel Ariston, otherwise in the heart of the Alto Garda Park the Cervano farm awaits you.
The flavors of Romagna
The Dovadola Truffle Festival has reached its 52nd edition: on the third and forth Sunday of October it will be possible to discover every secret of the white truffle, which is born spontaneously in the hills surrounding the town of Romagna. Together with truffles you will also find other typical products of the territory, from wine to cheese, from salami to honey.
Where to stay: not far from Dovadola, in the Sangiovese countryside, you can stay in an eco-friendly apartment that offers a vegan breakfast, a beautiful garden and a sauna.
Truffle Market and the White Potato in Pietralunga
Every year the village of Pietralunga, in Umbria, on the weekends of October, attracts many visitors, eager to discover dishes based on white truffles or white potatoes, both produce with inimitable taste. These are days full of events, with food stands, music, nature walks and cooking shows.
Where to stay: La Cerqua awaits you in the Pietralunga Forest; it’s an organic farm housed in a former monastery.
The truffle fair of Sant’Agata Feltria
Again in Romagna, for the fine National White Truffle Fair of Sant’Agata Feltria. Every Sunday in October the restaurants present at the fair and those of the area prepare delicious recipes, truffle dogs compete to find the precious tuber and the streets light up with music and traveling shows.
Where to stay: between Sant’Agata Feltria and Rimini you can discover a heavenly place. The B&B SassoErminia will allow you to experience a holiday in contact with nature, on tiptoe.
Discovering the medieval village of Brisighella
We do not move much to discover the Truffle Fair of Brisighella. Sunday, November 19, is dedicated to one of the finest products in the area and allows visitors to taste and buy the different varieties of truffles, but also other typical and autumnal products of the Faenza Apennines.
Where to stay: Brisighella GreenWellness is a farm that combines nature and luxury, ideal for a romantic stay.
The scent of the truffle along the Arno river
An idea for the next year is the Fiesole truffle festival, held in Il Girone Club, along the banks of the Arno. Every evening you can discover numerous dishes based on this delicious ingredient, such as white lasagna with truffles, gnocchi with taleggio cheese and truffles, burgers with truffles and much more.
Where to stay: in Fiesole, you can sleep in an ancient and charming mill transformed into a beautiful eco-friendly bed & breakfast.
Cover photo by Mortazavifar [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons