Horseracing at its most thrilling – Palio in Siena from £621 pp with Sunvil Discovery

Mon 27 Jun 2011
Hotel Athena, Siena

A famous 14th century tradition, the Palio is a short, sharp and frenzied bareback horse-race around the Piazza del Campo in Siena.  Thousands of spectators cram into the middle of this beautiful main square to watch. The next Palio is on 16 August – get there a couple of days before the main event to enjoy the build-up, and to claim a prime spot amid the action on the day. A three-night stay at the four-star Hotel Athena, overlooking the Palio, costs from £621 pp (two sharing) including flights (Gatwick) and car hire.