Truffles are the ultimate prize for the mycophile forager, with prices for a kilo of black truffles reaching well into the four figures.
After gold leaf, truffles are the most expensive thing one can eat. In 2010 billionaire Stanley Ho bought a pair of Alba white truffles weighing 1,300g for $330,000.
You can go on a truffle trip to Italy, based at the 12th century Castello del Nero to uncover the Tuber Melanosporum in its natural habitat. There are optional trips to a cheesemaker, but the main event is a morning’s private truffle hunt with a cavatore (truffle hunter) and his truffle hound, followed by a slap-up truffle lunch.
Three nights in Umbria costs from £995 including flights , transfers and B7B accommodation at Castello Del Nero, the truffle hunt and gourmet truffle lunch. Available in October and November 2017. Call Steppes Travel (01285 601557; steppestravel.com)
