When a fully remote team comes together in person, something special happens. We organized a five-day off-site in Monte Argentario for GitBook, bringing their distributed team to Italy's stunning Maremma coast. From sunset sailing to wine tasting in Tuscan vineyards, here's how we created an experience that strengthened their culture and left lasting memories. This is what happens when thoughtful planning meets the right location.
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Before we dive into the details, see for yourself what this experience looked like. This video captures the energy, the setting, and the moments that made this off-site unforgettable.
Remote work has transformed how tech companies operate. It offers freedom, flexibility, and access to global talent. But it also creates a challenge that no video call can fully solve: the need for genuine human connection.
The question isn't whether remote work works. It clearly does. The question is how to build culture and camaraderie when your team is scattered across different cities and time zones.
This October, we had the privilege of helping GitBook answer that question in the most beautiful way possible.
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When planning GitBook's company off-site, we knew this wasn't just about booking accommodations and scheduling meetings. This was about creating a transformative experience for a talented, fully remote team.
Monte Argentario became our answer. This stunning peninsula on the Maremma coast offers something rare: turquoise waters meeting rolling hills, natural beauty that inspires creativity, and a pace of life that lets you actually breathe.
The location wasn't just a backdrop. It became part of the experience itself. Every sunset felt like a celebration. Every meal became an opportunity for connection. The setting shaped the energy of the entire week.
Our approach at Gecko Events is simple. We design off-sites that balance structure with freedom, activity with downtime, and work with play.
For GitBook's week, we created a rhythm that felt natural. Mornings often included alignment sessions where the team could discuss milestones and strategy. But we never packed the schedule so tight that people felt rushed or exhausted.
The activities we chose reflected the spirit of the location and the team. Golf and tennis for those who wanted some friendly competition. Sailing at sunset for those seeking tranquility. Snorkeling adventures for the explorers. And a wine tasting day at Tenuta il Quinto that brought everyone together over exceptional local vintages.
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One of the week's highlights was an exceptional wine tasting at Tenuta il Quinto, a prestigious winery in the heart of Maremma.
As the team savored local wines and learned about the craftsmanship behind each bottle, something beautiful happened.
These moments of shared joy matter. Laughing over a perfectly paired Sangiovese. Toasting to wins both personal and professional. This is what transforms remote colleagues into a connected, cohesive team.
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From our perspective as organizers, there's a feeling you get when an off-site is truly working. You see it in body language. You hear it in laughter. You feel it in the energy of every interaction.
With GitBook, that energy was present from day one.
This team genuinely cares about each other. You could see it in the way they listened during sessions. The way they included everyone in activities. It wasn't forced or performative. It was authentic.
The GitBook culture is real. You can feel it. The leadership genuinely cares about their people and culture.
The team they are building is kind, talented, and inspiring. Working with this team reminded us why we love what we do at Gecko Events.
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Looking back at the five days, several elements came together to create something memorable.
The right location. Monte Argentario offered both quality, relaxation and that "wow" factor.
Flexible scheduling. We designed days that allowed for strategic work and spontaneous connection. When the team wanted to extend a conversation over dinner, they could. When someone needed quiet time, they had it.
Engaging activities. Not everyone bonds the same way. Golf for the competitive. Sailing for those seeking tranquility. Snorkeling for the adventurous. This flexibility respected different personalities and energy levels.
Intentional details. From restaurant selections to transportation, we handled every logistical element. The invisible work that makes everything appear effortless.
Space for authentic moments. The best connections happened organically. At sunset on the boat. During a casual lunch. In conversations that continued long after scheduled activities ended.
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In an era where "company culture" has become a buzzword, GitBook's off-site was a reminder of what culture actually looks like in practice.
It's not ping-pong tables or free snacks. It's shared experiences that create bonds. Conversations that spark innovation. Memories that remind people why they love what they do.
For remote teams especially, off-sites are no longer a luxury. They're a necessity. The antidote to Zoom fatigue. The cure for isolation. The catalyst for collaboration that simply can't happen through a screen.
The better your remote culture, the more valuable in-person time becomes. GitBook has clearly built something special in their distributed environment. That foundation made these five days even more powerful.
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Five days might seem short. But the impact extends far beyond those moments in Tuscany.
Team members returned home with renewed energy and deeper relationships. They have context for the voices on video calls now. They understand each other's communication styles better. They have shared memories that become part of the company story.
These connections make challenging moments easier and celebrations sweeter. They turn colleagues into something closer to friends.
This is the real return on investment of a well-organized off-site.
At Gecko Events, we believe every off-site should be as unique as the team it's designed for. We don't do cookie-cutter itineraries or one-size-fits-all solutions.
Instead, we take time to understand your team's goals, values, and dynamics. Then we design an experience that brings out the best in everyone.
Our role is to handle the complexity so you can focus on what matters: your people. We think through details, anticipate challenges, and create space for connection to happen naturally.
For GitBook, that meant curating the perfect location, designing a flexible schedule, selecting activities for different interests, and handling every logistical detail. The result was five days the team will talk about for years to come.
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If you're considering an off-site for your remote team, here's what we've learned:
Location matters. Choose a setting that inspires and energizes. The right place sets the tone for everything that follows.
Balance is everything. Mix strategic sessions with activities that build genuine connection. Leave breathing room in the schedule.
Authenticity wins. Focus on real connection over forced team building. The best moments often happen spontaneously.
Details count. From accommodations to activities, every element should feel intentional and thoughtful.
Respect different styles. Not everyone bonds the same way. Offer options that appeal to various personalities and energy levels.
Think beyond logistics. The best off-sites consider not just what you'll do, but how people will feel.
Every company has its own story. Your team has unique dynamics, challenges, and dreams. A great off-site doesn't follow a template. It reflects who you are and where you're heading.
The GitBook experience in Monte Argentario was their story. Yours will be different, and that's exactly how it should be.
Whether your team is spread across two countries or twenty, whether you're a startup finding your footing or an established company looking to reignite your culture, we'd love to help you create your own unforgettable off-site experience.
Because the best teams aren't built in conference rooms. They're built in moments of shared experience, laughter, and connection.
The kind of moments that happen when you bring people together in a place as special as the work they do.
Ready to create your own unforgettable off-site experience? At Gecko Events, we specialize in designing and organizing company retreats that bring remote teams together in meaningful ways. From the sun-soaked coasts of Italy to hidden gems around the world, we handle the complexity so you can focus on your people. Visit geckoevents.co to start planning your next off-site.
