Celebrate truffle season at Relais San Maurizio in the Piedmont

On the first Sunday in October experience what is surely Italy’s silliest, slowest and possibly most loved race – the Palio degli Asini. No, you won’t see horses, as at Siena’s famous Palio, but donkeys! The event marks the beginning of the world-famous white truffle season.

Stay at the famous truffle-lovers hotel the Relais San Maurizio set in a little village close to Alba (in Piedmont), where the charming race takes place. The hotel is one of the best places to experience the truffle season.

The 5-star boutique hotel formerly a 17th century monastery and now a stunning and discreet Relais & Chateaux property is a hub for the world’s truffle-loving glitterati who descend on this beautiful corner of Italy in October.

The Relais San Maurizio

Guests spend the night in the historic monks’ cells and stables, which have been converted into sumptuous suites. In the evening they feast on Andrea and Lidia Alciati’s famed “agnolotti del plin” and delicious truffle dishes in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

For real foodies Relais San Maurizio organises early morning truffle hunts. Guests can unearth the noblest truffles and then have their precious finds prepared to their own taste at the hotel’s restaurant. All of this can be washed down with a glass of Barolo from the hotel’s groaning wine cellar, which boasts more than 2,000 different labels. Afterwards guests can relax in the exclusive Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa – the only one in Italy – situated within old wine cellars where specialists preen and pamper.

The Palio of Alba

The Palio at Asti may be the oldest horse race in Italy, and is arguably Italy’s most famous, but the donkey Palio of Alba is the most important (if you live around the area that is!). The origins of this quirky event can be traced back to 1275, when Alba and Asti were at war, and the inhabitants of Asti decided to run a Palio outside the walls of Alba as a sign of victory. Each year, to celebrate their victory over the city of Alba, Asti held this Palio to show how magnanimous they were in victory. The inhabitants of Alba in turn decided to run a Palio inside the city walls, using donkeys instead of horses to mock their adversaries. A re-enactment of what is now known as the “Palio degli Asini” takes place on the first Sunday of October.

Locals dress in medieval costumes. And the riders of the famed donkeys are local celebrities. Visitors will be caught up in all the fun and excitement of this wonderful medieval tradition that has withstood the test of time. And at the same time celebrate the opening of the truffle season.

The start of the truffle season

The noble white truffle attracts gastronomers from the four corners of the globe to experience the “white gold” of the culinary world. The Palio degli Asini coincides with the opening of the famed white truffle season and renowned Truffle Fair in Alba.

Relais San Maurizio, the Palio degli Asini and the truffle fair await!

Stays at the Relais San Maurizio are available through Bailey Robinson. Prices start from £710 per person, based on two adults sharing a classic double room on a bed and breakfast basis for three nights. Price includes flights and private transfers.

Activities such as truffle hunting and wine tasting can be booked in advance (but are payable direct to the hotel)

For more information, visit baileyrobinson.com and relaissanmaurizio.it.