Mycological Foray Trips to Italy
These forays are not sponsored by the FFSC, but we thought you might find them intriguing.
Last year marked our 20th anniversary of the foray trips we have taken to Italy. When we started them, we had no idea of how and what they were to be. To our surprise and for the benefit of the several hundreds of participants, we discovered that the Italian mycologists have been, across all counties and provinces, extraordinarily great hosts who not only shared their knowledge, there picking grounds, but also their friends, family and even their homes in occasions!
Our trips are far from being commercial enterprises, but were conceived and coordinated by Ennio Giusti, a former member of the Mycological Association of Washington (MAW) and are now guided by his son Marco together with his friend Claudio.
These trips give participants the opportunity to share on the natural, gastronomical, cultural, and mycological local worth of the regions, away from the tourist paths. Adventurous and flexible participants willing to accept the vagaries of weather and fungal changes and at times unavoidable or unexpected shifting in the schedule, will have a good time, no matter what their preferences: there is a bit of everything for anybody of any age or taste.
These may sound as advertisement without proof, but many members of myco groups that have participated in the past and certainly they will be able to provide a honest account of their experience. I will be glad to provide references for people in your area.
This year we have planned two trips one north to Friuli, with a short sally into Slovenia, and another south to the grand island of Sicily. In response to the desires of previous participants we have added an extra, extended stay, to our customary foray trip.
Friuli/Slovenia:
September 8-20, (11 nights), Cost: $3,100 doubles, each - $3,400 single
September 5-20, (14 nights), Cost: $3,850 doubles, each - $4,250 single
Sicily:
November 2-14, (11 nights), Cost: $3,100 doubles, each - $3,400 single
October 30-14, (14 nights), Cost: $3,850 doubles, each -$4,250 single.
Costs include all transportation by private bus for the length of the tour, starting at the airport and back; 3-4 star accommodations with breakfast, one meal a day (either lunch or dinner, depending on the foray schedule) with non- and alcoholic beverages (No one goes hungry or thirsty in these trips), and fees for any included attractions. Trip details are attached.
Sicily brochure
Friuli/Slovenia brochure
The Northern Foray has already a short waiting list until all confirmations are in. Sicily welcomes more participants and places are ready on a first come first served basis! Hurry up if you wish to join us! Let me know your interest before April 15th.
For more information, just write me.
Mycologically sincere greetings,
Albert J. Casciero