Best experiences with animals in Italy

Truffle Hunting and Tasting at Canelli in Monferrato is an adventurous and exciting experience that will take you on a discovery of truffle hunting.

Trained dogs will lead you through the woods, where you will learn about truffle hunters and their traditions.

The hunt will take place in the family truffle farm, 4 hectares with over 30 years of history. A valley where you will see more than 300 trees such as: poplars, oaks, willows, limes and hazelnuts.

At the end there will be a truffle tasting where you will discover local food, wines and fresh truffle.

The experience is held in the heart of Piedmont, Canelli is an ideal destination for lovers of nature, history and good wine. This town is located in Monferrato, one of Italy's most beautiful and unspoiled regions, and at the foot of the Langhe, famous for producing high-quality wines.

Each reservation will be private with the goal of providing you with a warm experience.

Get ready for a different experience than usual riding an alpaca in the hills of Monferrato.

The walk will be preceded by an explanation of rules and behaviors by your guide. This will be the perfect way to start making friends with the horse.

The walks will then vary in length depending on the option you choose.

The shortest route, of 1 hour and 30 minutes, is recommended for those who are beginners, with children and want to start approaching llamas and alpacas.

The 3-hour route, on the other hand, is reserved for an adults-only group.

Truffle hunting among the hills of Alba, in the Langhe region, is a perfect experience to experience firsthand a special moment: the search for this mysterious and fascinating ingredient.

You will have the opportunity to see live a secret and complex craft: that between the trifulau and his dog is a close relationship made of trust and mutual respect, which comes only after many years of experience. 

Few people have the opportunity to participate firsthand in this search: trifulau are in fact used to roam alone, sometimes at night, away from prying eyes. 

Although this is an “actual search” with a professional trifulau and his “tabui” (favorite dog), the one you will participate in è a ’simulated activity.  

However, since the search takes place in a natural truffle ground, è it is possible that truffles not artificially buried, but spontaneously grown on the spot, may also be found!

You can choose to have this experience exclusively with a private tour or do it on a shared basis.

For the activity to run smoothly, you will need to be self-driven as you will be expected to move between the meeting point and the forest where the experience takes place. We also recommend outdoor sportswear.

In case of mud or light rain, the activity is guaranteed and you will be provided with rubber chaps and capes. The activity will be moved or cancelled with a refund in case of heavy rains.

Educational farm for children and adults to learn how to make cheese and then taste it with a glass of wine.

The experience begins with a gentle walk in the woods, a pristine corner where goats live free and happy, surrounded by the beauty of a natural environment that welcomes and protects them.

Here, you will have the opportunity to milk the goats with your own hands, collecting fresh and genuine milk, ready to be turned into delicacies. An experience that will allow you to come into direct contact with the work of the land, rediscovering the value of healthy and authentic food.

Next, you will move to a charming country "ciabot," where Paolo, with his experience and passion, will guide you in the art of cheesemaking. With the help of a rural kitchen, you will learn how to make delicious cheese, step by step. The rustic and cozy atmosphere of the "ciabot" will allow you to fully understand the artisanal process and respect for traditional methods.

In the meantime, while the milk is being transformed into cheese, you can delight your palate with a fine tasting of artisanal cheeses, both goat and cow, accompanied by a selection of typical local products, such as cured meats, honey and homemade jams, all while sipping a good glass of local wine, perhaps a Roero Arneis or a Roero Rosso, which enhance the authentic flavors of the hills.

You will have the opportunity to take a walk with alpacas every weekend either in the morning or in the afternoon.

You will begin with an initial briefing, during which you will be explained all about the way of the alpacas and get to know your fellow adventurers better.

Then you will do the actual walk, lasting about 1 hour, during which you will rope the alpacas in the woods adjacent to the farm.

At the end of the walk you will have the opportunity to visit the farm with black Piedmontese pigs in the wild.

Truffle hunting with a chance to picnic in the woods of the Langhe in Lequio Tanaro.

Program

After meeting your guide and the dog who will accompany you along the trail, you will set off on an approximately 2-hour trek through the woods in search of white truffles.

On your return, you will be able to buy the truffle you found at a favorable price.

In addition, you can end the experience with a picnic based on local products with a view of the Langhe.

Enjoy a unique fun-filled experience with an alpaca trek in Val Camonica from the farm on Lake d'Iseo to Pisogne, Brescia province.  

The trail è is 2 hours long and enters characteristic woods behind the farm. You can walk side by side with alpacas, accompanied by rope.

For the hike è sportswear is necessary, with long pants and some comfortable boots.

On weekdays, the outing è guaranteed only when the minimum number of participants is reached. In addition, è it is necessary that the reservation includes at least one participant with alpacas.

The walk cannot be taken by pregnant women and children under 5 years old.

La Freschera is a family-run farmhouse 12 km from the Bergamo shore of Lake d’Iseo, equipped with a panoramic terrace with a splendid view. In this cozy setting you will be able to taste typical Bergamo dishes: cold cuts and cheeses, casoncelli, braised donkey and polenta.

In addition to offering restaurant service, at the farmhouse it will be’possible to visit the educational farm that houses sheep, horses and donkeys, and buy the products of the menuù 

Menù bulk wine

•    Antipasto
•    Two starters
•    Two main courses
•    Caffè
•    Sweet
•    Local wine

Menù bottled wine

•    Antipasto
•    Two starters
•    Two main courses
•    Caffè
•    Sweet
•    Bottled wine

Menù juniors (ages 4 to 17)

•    A first course
•    A second course
•    Sweet

For children under 3 years old, the experience is free of charge.

The farmhouse offers specific menù for celiacs, vegetarians and vegans. For any allergies or specific dietary needs contact the facility directly after booking.

It is also possible to visit the farm animals independently before or after lunch.

La Freschera è a family-run farmhouse 12 km from the Bergamo shore of Lake d’Iseo, equipped with a panoramic terrace with a splendid view. In this cozy setting you will be able to taste typical Bergamo dishes: cold cuts and cheeses, casoncelli, braised donkey and polenta.

In addition to offering restaurant service, at the farmhouse it will be’possible to visit the educational farm that houses sheep, horses and donkeys, and buy the products of the menuù 

Menù bulk wine

•    Antipasto
•    Two first courses
•    Two main courses
•    Caffè
•    Sweet
•    Local wine

Menù bottled wine

•    Antipasto
•    Two first courses
•    Two main courses
•    Caffè
•    Sweet
•    Bottled wine

Menù juniors (ages 4 to 17)

•    A first course
•    A second course
•    Sweet

For children under 3 years old, the experience è free of charge.

The’farmhouse offers specific menù for celiacs, vegetarians and vegans. For any allergies or specific dietary needs contact the facility directly after booking.

È it is also possible to visit the farm animals independently before or after dinner.

Cheese-making workshop designed for adults with farm tour and farm lunch included.

Tour with tasting

14:30 arrival at the farm and coffee time
15:00 Primosale preparation and visit to the farm barn
16:30 cheese tasting

Tour with lunch

10:30 arrival at the farm and coffee time
11:00 Primosale preparation and visit to the farm barn
12:30 lunch with full menu (including water, dessert and coffee, but excluding wine)

Walking with alpacas in Moro Lake Park.

The experience begins with a small introduction to the world of alpacas in which you will be introduced to the day's protagonists: Semola, Uan, Ermes, Whisky and Artù.

Once the alpacas have been distributed, we will set off for the walk in the beautiful park of Moro Lake, also suitable for children from 6 years old (younger children can be carried in a baby carrier).

All along the way you will be accompanied by a guide who will answer all your questions and tell you nice anecdotes about the life of these funny animals and local flora and fauna.

We recommend sportswear suitable for the weather of the season.

Guided tour and walk with farm animals

Program

Welcoming participantswillbe the owner, an AIGAE Environmental Hiking Guide, who after a brief introduction will take them on a tour of the farm. During the visit it will be possible to enter the enclosures, get to know and pet the animals, take photos and listen to trivia about their behavior.

This will be followed by a walk around the farm, surrounded by the nature of the Seriana Valley and in the company of some animals chosen on the spot. The guide will tell stories and anecdotes about the area, making the hike even more engaging.

On the way back, the experience will end with a cup of tea offered to participants.

The total duration is about an hour and a half, but it will still be possible to stay on the farm to enjoy the quiet of the place