To whet the palate: Exceptional Dining with Luxury Gold

Where do truffles grow?

One reason truffles are so expensive is that they don’t grow in every part of the world. Historically speaking, truffles were largely only found naturally in European countries like Italy, France, Spain and Slovenia. In recent years, some other countries in North America, South America and Asia have successfully started growing their own.  

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How do truffles grow?

Truffles grow beneath trees in a symbiotic relationship by attaching their spores to the tree roots. The transfer of nutrients enables them both to grow. Most truffles grow beneath specific tree species, including hazelnut and poplar, which influence their taste and scent. 

Why are truffles expensive?

Truffles are expensive because they’re so rare to harvest. Grown naturally only in a few European countries, truffle hunting is a centuries-old practice in which truffle hunters rarely share their hunting grounds with anyone else. The most expensive truffles are white truffles found in Italy’s Piedmont region. The International Alba White Truffle Fair is the preeminent truffle fair where you’ll find the largest, most expensive truffles for sale.

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Where can I hunt for truffles with truffle hunters? 

Luxury Gold’s Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast tour is a two week itinerary filled with unforgettable activities, including hunting for truffles with a local farmer in Istria. You can also hunt for truffles on our Ultimate Italy tour in Florence. Keep in mind that the best time to harvest white truffles is typically between September and November, though peak season may alter based on the summer season’s temperatures, spring’s rainfall, and if the holes where the prior year’s truffles were found were filled properly. Black truffle harvest is between April and October in some areas like Slovenia, and their bounty is also impacted by seasonal climate fluctuations.

Read more about truffle hunting: A day in the life of one of Croatia’s top truffle hunters

Where can I taste a truffle?

Although only found in select countries, you can taste truffles at restaurants across the world. Casa di Langa, a hotel just outside of Alba, Italy, has a restaurant with a case of fresh truffles you can choose from. Restaurant Zigante in Livade, Croatia, is another fantastic dining destination where truffles are blended in delicious ways, including in truffle ice cream.

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Italy

Italy is the epicenter for truffles. When the most expensive truffles are up for auction, it’s likely that they were found in the Italian countryside. Truffle hunters stay silent about where they find these fungi in Le Marche, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Umbria, but the restaurants in these regions aren’t shy about featuring them in both fine and rustic dishes. 

Truffle hunting on the Ultimate Italy tour is the ultimate way to find and taste fresh Italian truffles.

Croatia

Italy may stay in the limelight for having the most expensive truffles, but Croatia’s Istria region has a bounty of its own worthy of your attention. The truffle capital of Croatia wasn’t lauded as such pre-1999, until a hunter and his dog dug up what became the largest white truffle in the world. Now, the Istrian Peninsula is regarded as a popular destination for truffle hunting and sampling.

Get off the beaten path and uncover gems like fresh truffles on the Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast tour.

Spain

The majority of Spain’s truffles are black truffles and its black winter truffles are especially popular, but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, it was until the mid-1900s that truffle hunters from France started seeking out the black diamond truffles they knew in the hills of Spain. When Spanish farmers realized how valuable these truffles were, they seized the opportunity and have since become the world’s largest producer of black winter truffles. 

Discover Iberia on: Spain & Portugal in Style

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France 

It should be no surprise that anything grown in French soil is delectable; that includes truffles. France produces nearly one-third of the world’s truffles. The “black diamond” is a popular truffle found in Provence and Southwest France. Also known as the Périgord truffle, black diamond truffles are known for their strong scent and distinctive taste.

Sample truffle-infused dishes as you explore the French countryside on our Ultimate Southern France tour.  

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Slovenia

Slovenia shares a small piece of the Istrian Peninsula with Croatia. With Italy as its adjacent neighbor, one shouldn’t be shocked to learn that Slovenia is an underrated destination for truffle hunting and dining. One of the unique experiences you can have in Slovenia that you seldom can elsewhere is hunting for the rare spring white bianchetti truffle which is harvested around March each year. 

With Exceptional Dining a hallmark of every Luxury Gold journey, see how you can enjoy a truffle-infused vacation, or other gastronomical pleasures with our worldwide collection of luxury tours.

No journey to Italy is complete without walking sun drenched vineyards and sipping limited edition vintages. For a taste of Tuscany to savor forever you’re invited to the charming Guardastelle Estate in San Gimignino to join the owners for a personal and private wine tasting tour.

We had the privilege to speak with Fausto, owner and wine producer of the Guardastelle Estate to learn what goes into producing a certified wine, harvest predictions and how to perfect the art of wine tasting.

Discover this on: Ultimate Italy

Exclusive wine, with a personal touch

“Guardastelle Estate is considered one of the smallest establishments in the area,” Fausto explains. “We have 12 acres of vineyards plus five acres of olive trees from which we also produce extra virgin olive oil.

“We produce five wines in small quantities so, we are very exclusive. For two of our vintages, we produce about 6000 bottles each, and only 3000 for the other three types. And they are only available here – you won’t find our wines in stores, restaurants or the nearest town.

“At Guardastelle, as a boutique winery we’ve always been focused on people coming to our farm, to see firsthand the vineyards and try the wines. Each bears the DOCG certification, a sign of excellence and the most important certification of Italian wines.”

For travel inspiration read our Italy destination guide

DOCG – the elite classification

DOCG or Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita is the is the highest classification Italian wines can be awarded. The classification means that there are controlled production methods (controllata) and guaranteed wine quality (garantita) with each bottle.

This includes regulations such as no irrigation, maximum vineyard elevation, and regulations on ageing and maximum alcohol levels.

A private tour

As a guest of Luxury Gold, you’ll enjoy a private tour of the vineyards and the wine cellar. You’ll hear all about the production process and enjoy a taste of Tuscany. “We’ll explain what kind of varieties we have, and why we have these varieties relating to the certification to the DOCG and part of the production.

“For the tasting we present three wines from the current the vintage. These are usually the three DOCGs – the vernaccia white wine which is the local specialty, and the chiantis.”

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A boutique family business

“This is a family business, so we are involved in all the processes since from the winemaking to the tasting,” says Fausto. “This also dictates how to make the wines. We are a very small farm, so it is not possible to harvest the grapes with the machine for example, so we do it by hand.”

“We’ve no official record but architects say that the farmhouse is probably from the middle of the 1400’s. This is because that the walls were made with a specific technique which is the same used to build the famous towers of San Gimignano town.

“My wife’s family purchased it in the middle of the 1980’s. From the young age of 21, she restarted the vineyard and wine production with three classic DOCG wines that she has now produced for almost 30 years. The estate has also produced extra virgin olive oil from the start.

“In 2017 we started to work on a couple of new wines which were born in 2021. So now we have the five typologies of wines.”

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True Chianti and Vernaccia

“San Gimignano is in the chianti wine region, a wine which has been produced in Italy for about five centuries,” says Fausto. “To preserve the original characteristics of Italian winemaking and its wines, the government introduced regulations to keep a high standard quality product. This is the DOCG and is the certification that allows us to call our wine chianti.”

“Chianti must be made with a minimum of 75% of Sangiovese (a grape), and then there are few other varieties that we are allowed to use to blend. Even though it is possible to make a chianti from 100% Sangiovese, usually they are made with a blend of grapes.”

All the wines produced by Tenuta Guardastelle bear this important DOCG certification. Some 78 red wines across Italy (including chianti) are on the list. There is however only one white wine included, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a native grape variety with ancient historical origins. Renowned for its remarkable ageing capacity, it makes an excellent aperitif, pairs well with legumes and is exquisite with white meats.

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Manual harvest

“The DOCG regulations do not dictate how to harvest, whether by hand or machinery, or how to press the grapes. So, these methods depend entirely on the size of the farm,” Fausto explains.

“As we are small, we do a manual harvest, which is also better anyway for the grape’s quality. This helps to produce a natural, rather high sugar content in the berries, so that the DOCG standards are easily met.”

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It’s all in the timing

“The DOGC does regulate the days that you can harvest, although the time frame is very large. The time to harvest is dependent on the varieties and it depends a lot on the weather,” Fausto says. “We know by the experience that the harvest time is around the beginning of September for the white grapes and middle third week of September for the red varieties.

“So, a few days before the planned harvest we start to control the grapes. We go in the vineyards and pick a few from all over the field. The grapes are then mixed together, because different parts of the vineyards can have slightly different maturation, before making an average of the sugar content.”

“We also taste them – with experience you know from their softness if they’re ready. Then we look at the weather forecast to see that maybe these grapes need a week but if the weather is going to be bad, then we may need to harvest them in a couple of days.

“This, a taste of Tuscany, is probably one of the best parts. Because it’s almost ready. It’s such a great feeling – every year is a new project with a new vintage.”

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Time to mature – a unique minerality

“Some of these wines take up to three years to be ready,” Fausto explains. “So, we will harvest the year’s vintages around the start of October, and the white will start to serve as a wine tasting in almost two years. And the Chianti about four years.

“This is our personal choice because of the composition of the soil. Here the soil has a high minerality that gives a very high freshness to the wine, so it needs longer to mature.

“So, for example, not all the vernacchio’s of the area are the same, and we usually don’t have the youngest of the vernacchio possible to taste. Because the other Tuscan wineries and vineyards don’t have such a high minerality, the life of their vernaccio is much shorter.”

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Tasting tips

“We always guide guests through the tasting, a taste of Tuscany” says Fausto. “We explain the three types of analysis. First is the visual, to check the color if the wine is clear or cloudy, and we show you how to do it with the white napkin on the back of the glass.

“Then comes smell. Here we don’t say everything because we could stay a full day talking about it! We do tell you the categories that you can smell in a wine, depending on the variety. For example, vegetables or fruit. Then lastly, we have taste and we help you get deeper into the analysis. Every wine actually had different characteristics, or even if similar there are always some slight differences.

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Practice makes perfect

“Wine tasting is like learning a new language,” Fausto concludes. “You need to train and to try many different wines to try to understand the different flavors and tastes that different varieties can produce. The characteristics of, for example, a Chardonnay grape, when grown in Tuscany or other parts of Italy or the world are not the same. So keep practicing!”

To delight in a taste of Tuscany for yourself in this stunning chianti wine region, take a look at our Ultimate Italy small group journey

Live music is a universal language, transcending cultural and language barriers. With its powerful ability to stir emotions, evoke memories, and form deep connections, music is magical. An experience with private live music is even more unforgettable, offering an intimate connection between the artist and the audience. In a world where we often share our musical experiences in crowded venues, it’s a true privilege to experience a private encounter with musicians and their craft. We look at 7 of our most unique private live music experiences, from an exclusive concert in Hue to a recording session in Nashville. 

Read more: After Hours: Travel Like a VIP With These Exclusive Experiences

1. Experience an exclusive sunset dinner with local musicians in Rajasthan, India

The northern Indian state of Rajasthan has a rich cultural identity, and music is at the heart of it. Its desert folk songs have been passed down through generations for centuries, and there are several instruments only found in Rajasthan, including the dholak drum and the 17-stringed kamaicha.

You’ll be enchanted by the evocative sounds of Rajasthan’s desert folk music at an exclusive sunset banquet. As the sun sets over the soaring sand dunes of the Thar Desert, you’ll dine on traditional nomadic dishes, while local musicians serenade you with their distinct melodies. As the stars appear in the dark night sky, you’ll feel swept away in the magic of the music and the ancient desert. 

Experience this on: Imperial Rajasthan

Read more: Golden Moments in the Golden City: What Awaits Luxury Gold Guests in Jaisalmer

2. Enjoy a private concert at Camille Huyen’s family home in Hue, Vietnam

In the historic city of Hue, Luxury Gold guests will be invited into the home of the celebrated painter and singer, Camille Huyen. You’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and a private concert, with Camille serenading the group with traditional music. You’ll also explore the authentic home she shares with her husband, learning about their captivating journey and the dream that guided them back to Vietnam. A blend of music, art, and storytelling creates an unforgettable evening.

Experience this on: Sensational Vietnam & Laos & Inspiring Indochina

Read more: These Luxury Travel Experiences Will Never Go Out of Style

3. Record a song in a private session in Studio B in Nashville, USA

It’s one thing to listen to private live music. It’s another thing entirely to create it yourself. Luxury Gold guests will join a professional sound engineer at Nashville’s iconic Studio B, where you’ll record a take-home song, just as legends like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton have done here before. Studio B was a cradle of music in the 1950s and 60s, with everyone from the Everly Brothers to Roy Orbison, Chet Atkins and Eddy Arnold recording here. 

As part of this rare recording session, you’ll also have a private session with a Nashville singer/songwriter to learn the stories behind the icons and how they created their famous songs – from the first notes to global success. Later, you’ll enjoy a live country music show at the Grand Ole Opry. 

If you’re traveling on a Founder’s Collection departure, you’ll even meet a music legend. You could meet the renowned Brenda Lee, the top-charting solo female singer in the 1960s, or Charlie McCoy, the Grammy-winning legend who’s collaborated with the likes of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Loretta Lynn.

Experience this on: Southern Grace

Read more: Brenda Lee: The pop icon who inspired some of the biggest names in music

4. Witness a private musical performance in Neputa Village, Japan

The Tsugaru-han Neputa Village in the city of Hirosaki is home to the remarkable traditional arts and crafts of the region. You’ll see colorful decorations and enormous, intricate floats being prepared by skilled craftsmen for the summer festival, Neputa Matsuri. They take almost a year to create and will be paraded through the streets during this 300-year-old festival that also features vibrant performances of the Tsugaru-jamisen.

You’ll also witness a private music performance of Tsugaru Shamisen guitar and Taiko drumming. The rhythmic, heart-pounding beats of the drum combined with the soulful guitar strings tell spirited stories of ancient Japan. It’s a truly special experience to watch this traditional performance in such an intimate setting. 

Experience this on: Majestic Japan

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5. Experience traditional Māori music in Rotorua, New Zealand

Get a rich insight into the culture of Māori, New Zealand’s Indigenous people, with this incredible experience in Rotorua. You’ll stroll through the ancient forest village with your local Māori guide and learn about traditional art forms. Later, you’ll indulge in a Hāngī feast, cooked traditionally in a pit oven using geothermal steam at Te Pā Tū. As you dig into your unique meal, you’ll witness a live cultural performance showcasing ancient stories, songs and performing arts. See the iconic Haka (war dance) and action dances, all surrounded by the enchanting forest of Rotorua. 

Experience this on: The Long White Cloud

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6. Enjoy a private performance of Cante Alentejano in Lisbon, Portugal

Luxury Gold guests will enjoy a delicious Portuguese lunch all while witnessing a private live music performance of Cante Alentejano, a traditional polyphonic singing style from the Alentejo region of Portugal. This unique musical art form is characterized by its rich harmonies and distinctive vocal techniques. The soloists lead a verse and the group creates a powerful harmony. The mesmerizing songs tell the stories of love, nature, work and daily life in the rural region. The music is a beautiful way to get an insight into this regional culture. Cante Alentejano has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, for its cultural significance in the Alentejo region.

Experience this on: Spain & Portugal in Style

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7. Witness Indigenous music with Cree Warrior Women in the Canadian Rockies

Luxury Gold guests go beyond the spectacular landscapes of the Canadian Rockies, connecting with the traditional owners of the land. We’ll meet some of the First Nations Cree Warrior Women from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in this exclusive, intimate experience. You’ll have the opportunity to talk with women, including matriarchs Matricia and Mackenzie Brown. Y learn about their Indigenous spirituality, culture and connection to their land. We’ll sit down to enjoy a fireside barbecue, all while witnessing a musical performance of storytelling through drumming and song. Set on the shores of Trefoil Lake in Jasper, you’ll gaze up at the beautiful Pyramid Mountain as you listen to the rhythmic drumming and singing. 

Experience this on: Majesty of the Rockies

Read more: Uncovering Indigenous history with Canada’s Warrior Women