Outdoor

Foraging Tour

Discover edible treasures hidden in the hills, fields, and olive groves of Tuscany.  Forage from the bounty of our land on this unique opportunity to mend the broken thread that once connected us so closely to Mother Nature.

Duration

Half day

Type

Private tours

Intensity

Culinary

Lunch

Included

Family

Yes

Transportation

Not Included

Ever been foraging? Join us on the lookout for wild herbs, edible flowers, and fruits in the Tuscan countryside!

This route changes every season. Led by a woman, who is one of the top foragers in Italy, this is an ideal activity to introduce you briefly to the techniques of observation and to pick the most common and tasty herbs of the Tuscan countryside.

During an easy walk around her farm, she will help you source the ingredients for a green salad and introduce you to the therapeutic and nutritional properties of the spontaneous vegetation in the area.

From the fields to the synergic garden and through the orchard, you will then be guided to the stables to observe the farm animals.

After the guided harvest, you will learn how to clean and prepare these herbs, greens, and fruits. For lunch you will be able to taste these delicacies with a menu based on wild herbs but also their products including Cinta Senese cold cuts, Pecorino cheese, and wine.

 

We will start in the morning around 10 o’clock, but we may ask you to start earlier to avoid the warm temperatures of the summer.

The guide will introduce you to the techniques of observation and picking the most common herbs. You will be provided with a wicker basket and a knife, the essential working tools of every serious forager!

Then we’re off! We will walk towards the fields surrounding the farmhouse to get to the special spots where the edible wild herbs and flowers grow. You will learn where and when we find some species and why not others. This is an incredible way to get an understanding of the microclimates that are characteristic of rolling Tuscan hills.

On site, you will see the forager in action and her approach to nature in addition to the specific way to correctly harvest each herb respecting nature and preserving the seeds and roots for the future.

Upon returning to the farm, you will also visit the synergic vegetable garden where many other plants have been semi-domesticated beside traditional Italian vegetables. A visit to the stables where sheep and pigs are raised is always part of the program as is a brief tour of the dairy where sheep milk is transformed into the famous pecorino cheese.

Back at the house, you will learn how to choose and clean the harvest and then join in the cooking demonstration. Finally, we will eat lunch with a great first course made with herbs from the field, a mixed salad, cheese, Cinta Senese pork cold cuts, wine, and coffee.

What's included

  • private foraging lesson in English
  • private tour of the farm
  • lunch with wine

What's not included

  • transportation from/to your hotel/the farm (available as an extra: contact us)
  • gratuities
  • vegetables picked on the excursion that you would like to take with you and enjoy later
  • anything not listed in the section “Included”

FAQ

Is this hike too hard for me?

This is a very easy walk for everyone. We will stop several times to explain everything about the area and the plants so it is really considered more an “aperitif walk” rather than real hike.

Are kids admitted on this tour?

Yes, we love kids in Italy, and they are always welcome. Make sure your children can walk for 1 to 2 hours or be prepared to carry them on your shoulders. 🙂

Can you pick us up in Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, Siena, Firenze, San Gimignano, Chianti, etc.?

Yes, of course. Before booking, we will provide you with a price quote for this extra service.

Pickup Points: Siena, Florence, Montepulciano.

Departures: Everyday

Season: From March to November

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Would you like to modify this tour or design your own experience in Tuscany?
Let us know your needs and wishes and we will tailor the perfect program for your trip to Italy.

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