Sparassis Crispa: Finding Tuscany's Cauliflower Mushroom
- 3 February 2026
- Mycology
After hundreds of hikes through Tuscan forests, there are still mushrooms that stop me in my tracks.
Sparassis crispa—the cauliflower mushroom, or …
Chanterelles in Tuscany: Hunting the Golden Mushroom
- 3 February 2026
- Mycology
Among the many fungi that grace Tuscany’s forests, few inspire as much enthusiasm among foragers as Cantharellus cibarius—known locally as …
Fomes Fomentarius: The 5,000-Year-Old Mushroom Ötzi Carried
- 1 February 2026
- Mycology
Not every mushroom I encounter during my hikes through Tuscan forests ends up in a basket destined for the kitchen.
Some mushrooms tell stories that …
Lycoperdon Perlatum: The Puffball That Tastes Like Crab
- 30 January 2026
- Mycology
Walk through almost any Tuscan forest in autumn and you’ll see them: small, white, pear-shaped mushrooms scattered across the forest floor like …
Best Outdoor Activities in Pistoia: Nature and Hikes
- 29 January 2026
- Hidden Tuscany
Ask most visitors about Pistoia and you’ll hear about the cathedral, the Piazza del Duomo, perhaps the medieval architecture.
What they …
The One Mushroom Book I Still Recommend After Years of Foraging
- 28 January 2026
- Mycology
When friends and customers hear about my passion for mycology, they inevitably ask the same question: “Where did you start? Which book should I …
Can You Hunt Mushrooms Freely in Tuscany? What You Need to Know
- 28 January 2026
- Mycology
Every autumn, I receive emails from visitors planning trips to Tuscany with the same question: “Can I go mushroom hunting freely in the …
Castelvecchio: Explore Tuscany's Hidden Medieval Ruins
- 27 January 2026
- Hidden Tuscany
Last autumn, I spent an afternoon among ruins that have stood silent since the year 1000.
Not at a famous archaeological site with ticket booths and …
Laccaria Amethystina: The Beautiful Mushroom With a Hidden Story
- 26 January 2026
- Mycology
There are mushrooms you eat for flavor, mushrooms you eat for abundance, and then there’s Laccaria amethystina—a mushroom you might eat …
Oudemansiella Mucida: The Porcelain Jewel of Acquerino
- 25 January 2026
- Mycology
Every autumn at Riserva Acquerino, there’s a moment when the meadows transform into something almost fantastical.
After the first substantial …
Boletus Edulis: The Truth About Tuscany's Most Prized Mushroom
- 23 January 2026
- Mycology
I need to be honest with anyone joining my mycology hikes in Tuscany: if you’re coming specifically to find porcini, you’re likely to be …
Are There Flora and Fungi Tours in Tuscany?
- 22 January 2026
- Hiking
This is a question I receive regularly from visitors looking to explore Tuscany beyond the typical tourist routes. The honest answer? Not many guides …
Tuscany in Winter: Why It's the Perfect Season to Visit
- 19 January 2026
- Hiking, Photography
When most people plan their Tuscany trips, they instinctively choose spring or summer—warm weather, long days, and the promise of sunshine on golden …
What Are Some Nature Photography Hikes I Can Join in Tuscany?
- 18 January 2026
- Photography, Hiking
When people ask me about nature photography opportunities in Tuscany, I see their eyes light up when I describe what awaits beyond the famous hills …
Lactarius Deliciosus: Tuscany's Orange Treasure Under the Pines
- 14 January 2026
- Mycology
Unlike the Coprinus comatus I’ve written about, which feeds on dead matter in disturbed soil, Lactarius deliciosus is strictly mycorrhizal.
This …