Meet Giulio the Truffle Hunter: Tuscany's Storyteller of the Woods

If you have ever read about truffle hunting near Florence, you have probably met Giulio. Known as Giulio the Truffle Hunter, Giulio Benuzzi is one of the best-known guides to the truffle woods of Tuscany. He is also the newest host of our experiences, and we are happy to tell his story.

From restaurants and a B&B to the truffle woods

Giulio was born in the north of Italy and made Tuscany his home. Before truffles, he worked in the restaurant business in Milan. Later he ran a small bed and breakfast in the hills south of Florence, where he created food and wine experiences for his guests.

Then, in the early 2000s, he changed direction. A 2013 profile in BYU's Stowaway magazine tells how he joined a truffle hunt and was moved by the bond between the hunter and the dog. He got a hunting dog of his own and became a full-time truffle hunter, selling truffles and taking visitors into the woods. Matador Network adds that he first went truffle hunting as a child, with his grandfather. He became a licensed truffle hunter in 2003, and he is one of the first people in Tuscany to share the experience with visitors.

Home is Bagno a Ripoli, and the dogs do the work

Giulio's base is a country house in Bagno a Ripoli, a green, hilly area just south of Florence, about 25 minutes from the city centre. From there he walks into the woods with his Lagotto Romagnolo dogs. Over the years the dogs have become part of the story: Eda, whom he calls a champion, and later Maga and Scott.

He likes to say that the dogs do most of the finding, while the human must know where to look. Each season he scouts a large area of woodland, and he rarely goes back to the same spot more than twice.

A teacher, a storyteller and an artist

Giulio is much more than a hunter. Writers describe a creative, outgoing man who paints colourful abstract art, writes poems and stories about truffles, and even sings swing-style songs about them. He also runs a "Truffle Academy", where he clears up common myths. One example from Leonardo Romanelli's article: keeping truffles in rice, a popular tip, does more harm than good.

His talent for storytelling has also reached luxury hotels. Forbes reported in 2021 that Hotel Savoy in Florence has a truffle concierge, and that it is Giulio: guests can book a half-day truffle experience with him through the hotel.

"You have not experienced Italy unless you spend a day with Giulio the Truffle Hunter!" Greg J, Tripadvisor, 2012

Giulio in the press and on screen

Giulio's woods and his house have even been on TV. In early 2018, the American show The Bachelor filmed its Tuscany episodes with him: a recap of the episode describes a truffle hunt with two small dogs, followed by fresh pasta and truffles at Giulio's house. His own website also says that in 2014 Airbnb chose him as an ambassador for the launch of its Experiences. In 2020, Forbes published a profile called "Live From Tuscany: Giulio The Truffle Hunter's Guide To La Dolce Vita".

Want to see him in action? These two videos give a good first impression:

• At Home with Giulio the Truffle Hunter
• Truffle hunting with Giulio The Truffle Hunter in Italy

Hunt truffles with Giulio and Mauro

Now you can meet Giulio with us. Our new experience, Truffle Hunting with Giulio the Truffle Hunter, lasts about three hours and is private, just for your group.

• About 1.5 hours in the woods with Mauro, a professional truffle hunter from the area, and his Lagotto dogs. Mauro doesn't speak English, but the dogs say it all! Giulio joins you during the walk.
• About 1.5 hours at Giulio's country house, where he explains the biology of the truffle with funny stories, in English.
• A simple lunch to finish: tagliolini with butter and truffle, and eggs with truffle. Very simple food, and one of the best ways to taste this amazing product.

Good to know: you need to be in good physical condition and wear trekking shoes and long trousers. Children from 5 to 10 years old pay 100 euros, and from 11 the adult price applies.