Signature Italy Allure of Renaissance Tuscany

Name: Signature Italy | Allure of Renaissance Tuscany
Brand: Exodus
SKU: LIT
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

2 reviews

Overview

Savour Tuscany’s elegance through its wines, Renaissance cities, and enduring traditions

The essence of Tuscany unfolds in the Renaissance splendour of Florence and the timeless elegance of Siena, where art, architecture, and history shape every view. From the cobbled streets to soaring domes, these cities tell stories of creativity and culture that echo through the hills. Led by your handpicked Signature Guide, and primarily based in a privately owned medieval village, you’ll journey through a land defined by beauty and craft, where flavours and traditions reflect centuries of refinement. This is the story of Tuscany: revealed in every piazza, every masterpiece, every glass raised in celebration.

Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.

Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between immersive optional activities such as a forest walk and bocce game, a Chianti vineyard visit, a heritage tour in Cortona, or a hands-on Tuscan cooking class

Signature Stay: Stay at Castello di Gargonza, a fortified medieval village restored into a characterful countryside retreat

Signature Guide: Let your hand-picked Signature guide lead you to the region’s soul — sharing their home, heritage, and heart

Key Information

Travel Style: Signature
Activity: Culture
Activity Level: Easy & Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Comfort Level: Premium
Trip Code: LIT
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Italy
Carbon Footprint: 65.6kg CO2e per person per day

Signature Exclusive Inclusions

A Signature Stay in a restored medieval village
All breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners, featuring restaurants that capture the authentic cuisine of Tuscany
Named Signature Guide with outstanding knowledge and guest satisfaction
Complimentary transfers on arrival and departure, plus comfortable transport throughout (private mini coach)
Gratuities for local support staff so every detail of your journey feels effortless

Positive Impact

We donate to our Foundation and rewild 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller. Find out more about how our adventures support nature and people to thrive.

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. On this trip, local taxes (approximately €14) are not included.

Signature Experiences

Signature Italy | Allure of Renaissance Tuscany

Walk the hidden rooftop terraces of Florence Cathedral, guided along elevated pathways that reveal rare perspectives of the city

Join a family of truffle hunters and their dog, uncovering seasonal treasures in the forest before sharing a home-cooked truffle-based lunch

Meet the farmers of Podere Il Casale on a guided tour, watching cheese take shape and sampling their celebrated wines and produce

Savour a private olive oil tasting with the artisans of Buccia Nera, guided through olive oils produced on their hillside estate

Signature Travel Expert

Ambra Pasqualini

Signature Guide: Italy

Destinations

Europe, Italy, Tuscany

Born and raised in Rome, where she still lives today, Ambra has spent decades guiding travellers through the beauty, history, and culture of Italy and Europe.

Itinerary

First Destination: Gargonza, Arezzo
Next Destination: Florence

Accommodation:Castello di Gargonza
Meals included:Dinner

Accommodation:Castello di Gargonza
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Castello di Gargonza
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Castello di Gargonza
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Castello di Gargonza
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Plaza Hotel Lucchesi
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Plaza Hotel Lucchesi
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Gargonza, Arezzo
Next Destination: Florence

After a transfer from Florence, a warm welcome awaits at our Signature Stay, Castello di Gargonza, a privately owned medieval village nestled in the Tuscan countryside. Perched on a quiet hill overlooking the iconic Val di Chiana, it appears almost suspended in time.

Before our welcome reception, join Neri, our host at Castello di Gargonza for an introduction to the village, tracing stone pathways and ascending the 14th-century tower that once sheltered Italian poet Dante.

As dusk softens the courtyard, we gather at 2 Stone Room in the garden for a welcome drink, followed by an intimate dinner.

Accommodation:Castello di Gargonza
Meals included:Dinner

Signature Experience: Step into the heart of the Tuscan countryside for an authentic truffle-hunting experience with a local family whose passion for the land has been passed through generations. Accompanied by their expertly trained dog, venture into the wooded hills surrounding their home as you learn about Tuscany’s prized truffles, their seasonal varieties and the traditions that have shaped this unique culinary heritage.

The experience concludes at the family’s home, where you’ll gather around the table for a memorable farm-to-table lunch showcasing freshly prepared regional specialities and truffle-inspired dishes. Paired with local wines, it is a celebration of the authentic flavours, traditions and warm hospitality that define rural Tuscany.

We return to our hotel with time to freshen-up and relax before venturing out this evening to the nearby village of Monte San Savino for dinner.

Accommodation:Castello di Gargonza
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An expert-led walk brings Siena to life, revealing its character in layers, from the curve of Piazza del Campo to the cathedral’s intricate marble.

Signature Experience: For lunch, we have a private invitation to dine in the medieval Torre di Roccabruna, once one of Siena’s tallest towers. Our four-course meal is served high above Siena with privileged views across the city and surrounding hills. Dinner is at leisure at Castello di Gargonza.

Accommodation:Castello di Gargonza
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Signature Experience: Travel to the family-run farm of Podere Il Casale, where a guided walk reveals farm life from stable to dairy. Discover the craft behind their celebrated pecorino cheeses and estate wines, followed by a seasonal lunch.

This afternoon, stroll through Montepulciano’s historic centre and end the day in a cantina, where a light dinner is paired with a curated tasting of local wines.

Accommodation:Castello di Gargonza
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is your Signature Day, where you can select an authentic, curated experience to connect deeply with Tuscan culture. You could:

Sip your way through Chianti, visiting a renowned winery for a tasting that uncovers the region’s rich winemaking heritage (lunch included, 9am-3pm). Alternatively, for those wanting a more relaxed start to the day, why not join Castello di Gargonza’s charismatic sommelier for a tasting of three distinctive Tuscan wines? (4pm-5pm)
Wander through the rewilded woodlands surrounding Castello di Gargonza on a guided nature walk before joining a traditional game of bocce, a cherished local pastime that has brought the village community together for generations (10am-11.30am)
Stay within Gargonza for a hands-on cooking class, mastering fresh pasta with the castle’s chef before sitting down to lunch (10.30am-1.30pm)
Explore the timeless streets of Cortona on a guided walking tour, discovering its medieval landmarks, hidden alleyways and sweeping Tuscan vistas before enjoying a prosecco toast and private visit to the historic DelBrenna family showroom, where centuries of local history and traditional jewellery craftsmanship are brought to life (2pm-6pm)

Dinner is at leisure at Castello di Gargonza.

Accommodation:Castello di Gargonza
Meals included:Breakfast

Depart Castello di Gargonza this morning and journey towards Florence, stopping en route to discover one of Tuscany’s most celebrated culinary traditions. Immerse yourself in a guided tasting of locally produced extra virgin olive oils, learning about the region’s olive-growing heritage while savouring the distinctive flavours and aromas that make Tuscan olive oil renowned around the world.

Later, we arrive at Plaza Hotel Lucchesi, centrally located in Florence overlooking the river.

Signature Experience: The day ends with a private visit to a restoration lab, which reveals the meticulous work involved in conserving historic tapestries, textiles, and precious objects.

Accommodation:Plaza Hotel Lucchesi
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Signature Experience: Enjoy privileged access to the roof terraces of Florence Cathedral, guided by an expert who brings the city’s history into focus. From this rarely visited vantage point, the city unfolds in layers — red-tiled rooftops, narrow streets, and the soft rise of surrounding hills — revealing Florence’s enduring dialogue between craft, ambition, and landscape.

We continue on a guided walk through Florence, a city that feels suspended in time, a place where every stone holds a fragment of history and every street tells stories of centuries filled with art and culture.

We break for lunch at leisure and an afternoon to explore the streets and architectural wonder of Florence independently.

Gathering again this evening, we head for our farewell dinner at Angel Rooftop, where the city stretches out below the terrace, step into the streets that shaped the Renaissance, from cathedrals and civic palaces to workshops that nurtured generations of artists.

Accommodation:Plaza Hotel Lucchesi
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, take a final moment to breathe in the Renaissance streets and buildings of Florence. Those with later flights may wish to linger over one last coffee or enjoy a slow walk by the river, before transferring to Florence Airport.

This chapter may close, but Italy’s spirit is one that stays with you long after departure.

Alternatively, open a new chapter of discovery by speaking to your Signature Collection travel expert about extending your stay.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Accommodation

Experience the best of Tuscan hospitality

Every aspect of the Signature Collection is meticulously planned to take you deeper into the destination. That means your accommodation is a refined showcase of local hospitality, whether you’re staying in a pioneering luxury hotel or enjoying privileged access to a characterful stay designed to fully immerse you in the local culture.

Tuscany: Castello di Gargonza (nights 1-5)

Signature Italy | Allure of Renaissance Tuscany

Our Signature Stay. Hotel Castello di Gargonza sits within 500 hectares of Tuscan woodland, its restored towers and medieval alleys reflecting centuries of history. Suites pair heritage architecture with secluded courtyards, while gardens and vaulted dining rooms provide ample room to pause. Thoughtful practices, including low-impact lighting and refillable water stations, help preserve the estate’s tranquil setting for generations to come.

Florence: Plaza Hotel Lucchesi (nights 6-7)

Plaza Hotel Lucchesi

Welcoming guests since 1860, Hotel Lucchesi stands beside the Arno River in central Florence. Its rooms combine period-inspired interiors with modern comforts, while the rooftop terrace and seasonal pool look across the city’s terracotta rooftops towards the Duomo. With a history spanning more than 160 years and a setting close to Florence’s historic centre, it makes an elegant base for your time in the city.

Enhance your stay: Personalise your experience with curated room upgrades and additional nights tailored to your travel plans.

Post-trip Extensions

Exclusive Add-ons

Venice & Florence Hotels

Extend your Italian story a little longer. Whether lingering beside Venice’s lagoon waters or gazing across Florence’s terracotta rooftops, a few extra nights reveal new layers of the journey. Here are a few of our favourite hotels to inspire your stay:

The Gritti Palace: A storied Venetian residence set directly on the Grand Canal, where a 15th-century palazzo now welcomes guests with remarkable care. Rooms feature antique furnishings, Murano glass and works of art that echo the noble past of the building. On the canal-front terrace, watch gondolas drift by as seasonal Venetian dishes are served with elegance.

Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel: Across the lagoon on Giudecca Island, this celebrated retreat (pictured above) feels wonderfully removed from the bustle of St Mark’s Square. Gardens, vineyard rows and lagoon views create a sense of space rarely found in Venice. Rooms look across the water towards the city’s domes, while the pool and waterfront restaurant invite long, unhurried afternoons.

Villa San Michele, a Belmond Hotel, Florence: High in the hills above Florence, this former monastery offers a vantage point over the Arno Valley and the city’s Renaissance skyline. Its façade is often attributed to the school of Michelangelo, and the atmosphere remains one of quiet refinement. Terraced gardens frame views towards the Duomo, while Tuscan cuisine is served with care in the loggia restaurant. Here, Florence feels both close and beautifully removed.

This is just a glimpse of what’s possible. Speak to your Signature Collection travel expert, who can guide you through the options and arrange everything for you.

Essential Information

We have graded this trip Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.

Suitability: Several of the locations we visit, including our Signature Stay, have uneven paving, steps and hills typical of the medieval towns in Tuscany.

Driving times: The longest travel time takes place on Day 7 (two hours). All other transfers are maximum 1hr 45min.

Signature Day: Select from a curated menu of optional experiences to create a day that is personal to you, or choose to slow the pace and enjoy the facilities of your accommodation. Simply prebook your chosen experience at least 60 days before departure through your Signature Collection travel expert.

Duomo Terrace visit in Florence: This activity is not recommended for individuals with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions or those suffering from vertigo or claustrophobia, as the steps are steep and narrow.

As with all adventures in the Signature Collection, we take care of your arrival and departure transfers, allowing you to fully relax and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Arrival airport: Florence Airport (FLR)
- Your adventure begins with the hotel tour at 5.30pm on Day 1, followed by a welcome reception at our first accommodation.
Departure airport: Florence Airport (FLR)
- Your adventure concludes after breakfast on the final day.

Complimentary arrival and departure transfers are included between the airport and the tour’s designated start and end hotels on the first and last day of your tour. If you book additional pre-tour or post-tour nights at the designated start or end hotel through Exodus, your complimentary transfer will also be valid for those arrival and departure dates.

Additional charges may apply for transfers on different dates or to and from alternative hotels within the same city. To ensure arrangements can be made, complimentary transfers must be requested through your Signature Collection Travel Expert at least two weeks before your tour departure date.

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

This journey is designed to deepen your connection to the Tuscany through its food and drink, from organic olive oils and pecorino cheese to Chianti wines, seasonal farm lunches and the hands-on cooking traditions shared in kitchens across the region.

We always endeavour to accommodate dietary requirements and take great care in the preparation of meals. However, as meals are provided by a range of local restaurants, we cannot guarantee the complete absence of cross-contamination. Please inform your Signature Collection travel expert of any allergies or dietary requirements at the time of booking so we can discuss the options available to you.

Where meals are not included, your Signature Guide will be on hand with considered recommendations, whether you choose to dine together or enjoy the evening at your own pace.

Tuscany has a classic Mediterranean climate. Spring and autumn are mild and comfortable for exploring hill towns and countryside. Summer brings warmer days, especially in Florence, while winter is cooler and often crisp. Rainfall is possible year-round, though typically short-lived, with the hills at their greenest in spring and late autumn.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

We also weave Signature Legacy moments into your itinerary, so the positive impact of your trip lasts long after your stay. These are moments to remember which help people and nature thrive, ensuring you build a harmonious, positive connection with the places you visit.

On this journey, you can:

Visit a private restoration lab, gaining rare behind-the-scenes insight into the meticulous conservation of historic tapestries, garments and decorative objects.
Delve into the world of Tuscan truffles on a family-run estate, joining expert handlers and their trained dogs to uncover the secrets of the hunt and learn how to distinguish authentic truffles from imitation products.
Join an intimate farm and dairy tour at Podere Il Casale, meeting the animals and learning how pecorino is crafted before a guided tasting.

Reviews

Add new review

Nigel Wootton

Added July 2026

An unforgettable Tuscan adventure

Our first time travelling under the "Signature" label, we were impressed with the service we received from Exodus right from the time of booking. Our questions and needs were quickly and accurately addressed, with everything running smoothly before and after departure to Italy. The trip itself met and often exceeded our expectations, with many cultural, meaningful and memorable encounters in locations such as Arezzo, Florence, Siena and Pienza. For example, not many people get to have a delicious private lunch on the roof of one of Siena's tallest towers overlooking the Piazza del Campo (the only way the experience could have been bettered was if the Palio was being held at the same time)! Our stay in the medieval village of the Castello di Gargonza was also a magical experience; our rooms were superb, the views stunning and the staff always attentive to our needs. We highly recommend the new "Signature Collection" and will soon be looking to book our next Signature trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

I am tempted to say the whole trip was inspiring . However, if I must identify just one, it would be the awe inspiring afternoon spent in the Opficio Delle Pietre Dure E Laboratori Di Restauro Di Firenze. It was an honour and a privilege to meet one of the institute's experts and to be shown the work being undertaken in Florence to conserve and restore so many artistic treasures. The drawing of the elephant revealed by the X-ray of Leonardo's "Adoration of the Magi" will long remain in our memories.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ambra was delightful. Deeply knowledgeable, friendly, approachable and funny, she worked hard to meet our preferences and needs, playing a huge part in making sure we had a fabulous week in Tuscany. We would go so far as to say that Ambra is one of the best group leaders we have had the privilege of meeting in many years of travelling worldwide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The food provided on the trip is never less than delicious. However, portions can be large (an 800g Bistecca alla fiorentina. Each!) and travellers would be best advised to pace themselves if they don't want to have to buy a complete new wardrobe of clothes upon return.

Sarah Puttnam

Added May 2026

The most authentic experiences with inspirational locals giving a genuine insight to Tuscan life

As an Exodus staff member (Senior Product Manager), I’ve been lucky enough to travel on quite a few trips, but this one really stuck with me. In just a week, I met some of the most passionate, larger-than-life people I’ve come across in a long time. What I loved most were the Signature experiences. Every one of them felt genuinely personal. We weren’t just passing through, we were welcomed into family-run businesses, spending time with the owners, hearing their stories, and seeing traditions that have been passed down for generations. You could feel how much it meant to them, and honestly, it was pretty infectious. It even made me stop and think about my own lifestyle. Tuscany is, of course, beautiful and full of incredible history, but what surprised me most was how much the people shaped the trip. Getting that kind of access into their lives, and knowing you’re supporting something sustainable for the future, made it feel far more meaningful than I expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few but I think meeting Sandra, the owner of Podere Il Casale (day 6) and hearing how she ended up with a dilapidated farm in the early '90s and built it to a successful ethical and sustainable business with her family that we find today. She was a brilliant character who had the whole group laughing throughout our tour at her stories. Aside from the jokes, it was probably the most thought provoking in terms of how we source our food and the lifestyles we lead. Also, special mention for the lunch her team prepared, all sourced from her farm, including the meats, cheeses, oils and wines (of course)!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ambra was excellent, she got the measure of our group quickly, where our interests were and tailored her insights and guidance through the trip to keep us engaged and curious for more. At times, we tended to chat over meals probably for longer than the itinerary schedule allowed, just enjoying the food and ambiance but Ambra managed our time so we had those moments to relax and not rush through the whole trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a fair amount of walking up stone steps and around hilly medieval towns. A good level of mobility and stamina is required on some days, particularly when we visit Siena and Volterra. Sensible, comfortable shoes for walking around are essential. I travelled in early May and the weather wasn't ideal, we had a couple of very rainy days and in the Tuscan hills it could be chilly. When it was sunny, it was glorious but I'd recommend travelling with an umbrella in case of showers and some warmer layers for departures earlier in the season (Jan-May).

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