The panoramic view from the medieval tower on the Castello di Gargonza hilltop overlooks Tuscany’s scenic Valdichiana valley, its farmland punctuated by slender cypress trees. This is just one of the magical views a small group of travellers experienced on our Italian adventure with Exodus Adventure Travels.
The historic family-owned castle accommodation, once a refuge for Renaissance writer Dante Alighieri after his exile from Florence in the early 14th-century, is the spectacular Italian base for UK-based Exodus Adventure Travels’ newest tour collection.
Founded 50-some years ago in England, Exodus Adventure Travels (formerly Exodus Travels) specializes in small group tours emphasizing active adventures, great culinary experiences and cultural immersion. Tour sizes typically range from eight to 16 guests, bonded by a desire to venture off the beaten path.
Exodus launched its Signature Tours Collection in November 2025, in response to client demands for more immersive, experience-led travel, according to Sarah Puttnam, Senior Product Manager of the Signature Collection.
“Signature Tours combine in-depth destination insight with elevated comfort,” Puttnam tells Open Jaw. “Extensive market research and evolving travel trends showed a shift away from checklist touring towards slower, more meaningful journeys, centred around characterful stays, exclusive access and genuine local connection.”
Exodus currently operates 21 Signature Collection trips across 18 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. A key attribute of note for your clients is that each itinerary features at least one exceptional property that’s been chosen for its character and unique setting. “Signature Stay” property serves as a base for activities and day tours before moving on to the next exclusive property, depending upon the itinerary.
For the Signature Italy tour, the Castello di Gargonza serves as the home base for the entire trip, allowing guests to fully unpack their suitcases and make themselves at home.
The unique property is near Arezzo and about 90 minutes from Florence, Tuscany’s Renaissance heart and soul. The 13th-century castle and fortified walled village have been in the Corsi Salvati family since 1696 and are currently managed by Neri Guicciardini and his wife, Elisa.
“My grandfather began restoring the castle and village farmhouses in the mid-1960s,” Guicciardini recalls. “He put an advertisement in the Sunday Times in 1972, announcing the opening of a few rooms in Tuscany’s very first bed and breakfast.”
Today, the Castello has 47 rooms and apartments across 13 buildings with a capacity of 110 guests. Each stone-walled farmhouse accommodation is unique and is named for a family that once lived in the village before emigrating to the Americas and Australia.
Beyond accommodation, the Signature Collection is defined by a deeper, more immersive experience. “We focus less on traditional highlights and more on meaningful, locally rooted encounters, led by experts in the communities who bring their destination to life with real passion and authenticity,” Puttnam shares with OpenJaw.
“A great example is in Japan, where guests enjoy a rare evening dining with an apprentice geisha, offering a privileged insight into Kyoto’s traditions that few travellers would ever access independently.”
On the Tuscany Signature Tour, in-depth cultural experiences with locals elevate an itinerary that goes above and beyond the “same-old” group tour. Whether it’s truffle hunting with Massimo Cucchiara and Bice, his furry Lagotto Romagnolo companion, hearing how their craft has evolved across generations, or visiting Podere Il Casale, where founder Sandra Schmidig’s passion for sustainable farming challenges guests to think differently about how we live and consume, “these moments go beyond great food and beautiful landscapes,” notes Puttnam.
“They create a genuine emotional connection to the destination, which is exactly what Signature is designed to deliver.”
The company's constantly evolving signature portfolio of immersive, locally led premium trips, combining distinctive stays, exclusive access and meaningful cultural connection to deliver travel that goes far beyond the standard tour.
“We’ll be adding new trips and destinations to keep it fresh and give both travellers plenty of reasons to come back for more.”
