As a mom of five who has taken our kids (with my amazing husband!) on adventures around the world, I’m always looking for unique and immersive experiences that go beyond the typical tourist stops. I’m not against being a typical tourist. I actually think touristy places are touristy for a reason: because they are cool!
However, I’m all about a new adventure. I’ve eaten a lamb eyeball in Morocco, done a bungee swing in New Zealand, and many more off-the-wall things. I hopped on board when I heard truffle hunting was a “thing” in northern Croatia! We drove across Europe from Lisbon to Croatia and planned to drive to Italy next. We would pass through the lovely Istria area of Croatia on our way out, so we booked a truffle hunt on our outward journey to Venice.
We went with Miro Tartufi, a darling family business that offers truffle hunting. Instead of pigs, they train several dogs to hunt. What a fun experience it was!
If you’re traveling through Istria, Croatia’s stunning food-lovers’ paradise, and looking for a hands-on activity that gets the kids outdoors while learning about local traditions, this is one experience you won’t want to miss.
Before diving into our experience, let’s talk about what truffle hunting actually is. Truffles are rare, highly prized fungi (like a mushrooms) that grow underground, often near the roots of oak and beech trees. Because they are difficult to find but worth a lot, specially trained truffle-hunting dogs sniff them out.
Traditionally, pigs were also used, but our guide told us that pigs sometimes eat the truffles before they can get to them! The dogs are less likely to do this but are still efficient hunters. Overall, the hunt is a thrilling treasure hunt for both adults and kids alike.
Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula is famous for its truffles, especially the sought-after white truffle, making it the perfect place to embark on a family-friendly truffle adventure. We had already visited many locations in Croatia during our month-long stay and had fallen in love with the amazing national parks, the beautiful cities, and more. I wish we had more time in this northern area, but it’s on the list for a future visit. Istria’s fertile soil and mild climate create the ideal conditions for these underground delicacies to thrive.
Truffle hunting isn’t just a modern tourist activity—it has deep roots in Croatian history. Locals have been harvesting truffles in Istria for generations, passing down their knowledge and skills from one family member to the next. Engaging in this experience gives kids an opportunity to connect with a living tradition and see firsthand how a simple fungus can shape an entire culinary culture. Plus, what kid doesn’t love exploring a forest with dogs?! This is basically my boys’ dream day.
Located in the heart of Istria, Miro Tartufi offers a great truffle-hunting experience in Croatia. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a deep passion for truffle hunting, making the experience feel exciting and educational. They were so kind to arrange with us and didn’t mind we were showing up with five young kids. I put the youngest in a baby carrier on my back, and the other children all walked.
The highlight for my kids? The adorable truffle-hunting dogs! Before heading into the forest, we got to meet the dogs that would be leading the search. While they don’t want you to pet and play with the dogs, we did learn about their history. Be sure to tell your kids the dogs are working, and they need to take it seriously.
The kids were instantly smitten, and it was fascinating to learn how these dogs are trained from a young age to sniff out truffles. On our hunt, an older female was guiding a younger male dog. He was learning the ropes and kept getting distracted by the joys and smells of the forest.
Our guide explained that while pigs were traditionally used in some parts of Europe, dogs are now the preferred truffle hunters because they don’t try to eat their finds! The dogs were eager and energetic, and it was clear that they loved their jobs.
With our guide leading the way, we set off into the lush Istrian woods. My kids love anything that feels like an adventure outside, and this fit the bill! As the dogs eagerly sniffed the ground, we followed closely behind, waiting for that exciting moment when they found a truffle.
The best part? The thrill of discovery. Watching my kids’ faces light up as they uncovered truffles from the earth was absolutely priceless. I was equally excited by the hunt! Once the truffles were found, our guide let us smell them (yes, they smell amazing) and handle them, explaining the process.
The dogs took turns carefully digging out the truffles under the watchful eye of our guide, who explained how to handle them properly. It was like finding buried treasure. One of the best parts: we knew we were going to enjoy a delicious lunch after.
The walk through the forest itself was a beautiful experience. The fresh air, the earthy scent of damp soil, and the occasional chirping of birds made it feel like we had stepped into a different world—far from the crowds of Croatia’s more touristy spots.
The only downside? Some of the other, older tourists (retirees) were a bit annoyed by my kids. They didn’t love sharing the space. Sometimes you get lucky with other tourists, and sometimes you don’t.
While we were traveling full-time, I led the schooling for our kids. We focused on the basics (math, English, etc.), but my favorite part was the opportunity to learn in real-time and in real places. I like to call this worldschooling!
Our guide during our truffle hunt explained the difference between white and black truffles, how they grow, and why they’re so valuable. We also learned about truffle seasons: white truffles are typically found in autumn and early winter, while black truffles can be hunted year-round.
One fascinating fact? Truffles grow symbiotically with certain trees, exchanging nutrients in a way that benefits both. This delicate balance means that finding truffles isn’t just about having the right tools or dogs—it also requires knowledge of the land, the trees, and even the weather.
The kids had plenty of questions, and our guide answered each one with patience and enthusiasm. It was a fantastic hands-on science lesson wrapped in an adventure!
After an exciting time in the forest, we returned to Miro Tartufi (kind of like a large home) for a truffle-infused meal. This was the perfect reward for all our hard work! We enjoyed dishes like truffle cheese, scrambled eggs with truffles, and homemade pasta covered in rich truffle shavings. Even my pickiest eater was willing to give it a try, and to my surprise, all five of my kids devoured their plates. The hike before helped, I’m sure. Our oldest was invited to help with the cooking of the eggs, which was fun to watch. You can also buy some truffle products to take with you. Sad story: I got stomach flu very soon after this experience (only me) and couldn’t eat truffle again for many years.
The meal wasn’t just about eating—it was also about learning how to use truffles in cooking. We watched as fresh truffles were shaved over dishes, releasing their distinctive aroma. It was a sensory experience that went beyond just taste.
For those who wanted to take a little bit of the experience home, Miro Tartufi also had truffle products for sale, including truffle oils, spreads, and salts. Beware that the scent is very strong and may invade all of your suitcases.
If you’re wondering whether truffle hunting is a good activity for kids, here’s why I highly recommend it:
After our adventure, here are a few tips I’d share with other traveling families considering a truffle hunt:
Truffle hunting is such a fun experience and a wonderful memory I have of Croatia. Of the many amazing experiences we had in Croatia, this was a lovely cherry on top. We had such a good time.
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