Siena

Italian culture and customs are like no other, drawing individuals all around the world to this country where people seem to simply live better. And still, eating a tartufo at Tre Scalini in the Piazza Navona in Rome, partaking in the festivities surrounding the annual Il Palio horse race in Siena and walking up the steps of Scala Contarini del Bovolo in Venice are all unique experiences and not well-known tourist stops. All of these sites combined with local cuisine make for a unique excursion. Off-the-beaten-path sites such as the peephole at Piazza Mattei (a surprise awaits) in Rome and a boat ride to Torcello off the coast of Venice are locations that most tourists do not see. This guide will take you walking through these three marvelous cities to experience unknown sites along the way.

I absolutely love Italy and have spent a lot of time visiting small towns and attending unique events. Siena, an ancient and walled city in Italy, is a great place to visit for the day or for a few nights as you travel and tour the little towns of Tuscany. As the summer progresses, a special and unique horse race is poised to take place on July 2, 2022 and again on August 16, 2022. In fact, every year since 1701, Il Palio is run annually around the Piazza del Campo, the main square in the center of town and is Italy’s oldest horse race. This is a race between all 17 districts (contrade) in Siena. There are 17 contrade in Siena and each contrada has a horse that runs in the race. For days up until the race, parties start and a lottery is held to pick 10 contrade who will run bareback 3 times around the piazza. Each contrada, or team, has a lot of history, its own flag and each is generally associated with a family.

Lucca and Siena are the perfect pair of destinations to experience Tuscany's iconic charm: rolling hills, Renaissance architecture, comfort food and romantic hilltop villages. The towns are separated by a one to two-hour drive, with Florence situated at the perfect midpoint. In Lucca, incredible Renaissance walls enclose a historic city center that still feels lived-in and local today. Siena offers a breathtaking aesthetic, made for enjoying leisurely walks down its beautiful winding streets and taking in the incredible cultural and architectural sites.

Il Palio is a famous horse race in Siena, Italy. Each neighborhood of the old city has its own unique mascot, colors, horse, jockey and a patron saint (!), and each year on July 2 and August 16 they battle it out for the official win and the palio: a marvelous tapestry hand-painted by a local artist.

Planning travel to Italy? Consider building a week-long stay in Siena old town to experience this one-of-a-kind event!