The Italian region of Tuscany is a favorite of travelers, offering a picturesque landscape, beautiful ancient towns and a thriving wine and food scene. However, one event in particular recently brought me closer to the heart and soul of this region more than any other experience I’ve had here. This event was the legendary Palio di Siena, which I enjoyed on a tour arranged by the experts at Palio Tours. Beyond an exceptional viewing location of the Palio itself, a rough and tumble bareback horse race through Siena’s beautiful Piazza del Campo, the staff at Palio Tours provided top-notch, luxury accommodation and a selection of optional tours and experiences that added to the feeling of being part of the Palio itself.
Palio Tours’ clients can choose from a variety of lodging options and I chose a premium package, which included a stay in Siena’s Grand Hotel Continental, a Renaissance building that retains many of the grand architectural and artistic elements of that era. The elaborate original frescoes, antiques and paintings that are found throughout the property give each room and suite the look of a 17th century aristocratic residence. Each time I entered the hotel, I felt like I was stepping back in time, connecting with Siena’s long and rich history.
The people of Siena connect to their city’s history through their close relationship to the Contrada, or district, in which they live. The Palio is a race between horses which each represent one of these districts, carrying the pride and passion of the district’s people to victory or defeat. During a night of feasting the night before the race, each Contrada celebrates with food and drink until late in the night and I was fortunate enough to join the celebration with the Contrada della Pantera. In the Contrada, I was able to immerse myself even more deeply in the city’s history and the excitement of the race.
After pledging loyalty to the Pantera, I attended the next day’s ceremonial blessing of my Contrada’s horse before heading up to my viewing location for the big race. Another exceptional opportunity offered by Palio Tours was the option to watch the Palio from the window or balcony of a private apartment overlooking the crowd and the race course in the Piazza del Campo below. Having a bird’s eye view of the festivities while taking in all of the excitement of the race was an incomparable experience.
While my experience at the Palio was incredible, I was glad to have taken part in a couple of other offerings from Palio Tours prior to the event, including an authentic Tuscan cooking class and a tour of the famous Felsina winery nearby, complete with a meal and wine tasting. By immersing myself in the local flavors and the wine making heritage of the region, I felt even more connected to the spirit of Palio itself. With the help of Palio Tours, this memorable event surpassed my expectations.
