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Palio – Questions & Answers
Click any of the questions below to be re-directed to the answers. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Email your questions to info@spyns.com. We respond immediately and will add your questions to this page.
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The Top 10
I want to travel with Spyns but how big are your groups?
Where is Siena?
How do I get to Siena?
What is the Palio?
Why is there a Palio?
When is the Palio / Should I see the July or August Palio?
During the race, do the horses and jockeys sustain injuries?
How much are your tours?
When should I book my tour?
What is there to do in Siena other than see the Palio?
Palio Questions
What is the Palio?
When is the Palio?
Should I see the July or August Palio?
What are “contrada” and “contrade?”
Where did the “contrade” names come from?
Are people from outside Siena welcome at the Palio?
Where can I get a contrada scarf?
Race Questions
When is the race?
Where is the race held in Siena?
Who participates in the race?
How many horses race?
Why are there two races per year?
How long is the race?
Does the winner receive a purse (money)?
Siena Questions
Where is Siena?
How do I get to Siena?
How many people live in Siena
How do I get around Siena?
Where should I stay in Siena?
Is Siena in Tuscany?
What is Chianti / Is Siena Part of Chianti?
Travel Questions
Should I fly to Rome, Florence, Milan or Venice?
Where is Siena?
How do I get to Siena?
Is Siena in Tuscany?
Once in Italy, should I rent a car, take the train, or fly to Siena?
Do I need a passport to travel to Italy?
How much money should I bring to Italy?
Questions about Spyns
What is Spyns?
Where is Spyns located?
How do I contact Spyns?
What services do you provide?
Do you provide airfare?
Can you reserve rental cars, hotels, or train tickets before or after the tours?
Questions about our tours?
I want to travel with Spyns but how big are your groups?
What are your dates and prices?
How do I book a tour?
When should I reserve my tour?
What are your payment terms?
What if I have to cancel, do I get my deposit back?
For your active tours, how difficult is the cycling?
Do I have to stay with the guide?
Can you reserve rental cars, hotels or train tickets before or after the tours?
Hotel / Accommodation Questions:
I want to stay in the center of Siena, is this a good idea?
Can I rent an apartment in Siena?
I want to travel with your company but how big are your groups?
We specialize in small, luxury tours so you can expect to have about 8-12 travelers per guide. That said, we run very flexible tours so you choose whether you’d like to stay with your guide or explore Siena on your own.
Where is Siena?
Please click here to see a map of Italy with Siena’s location. If Italy is a knee-high boot, Siena would be around the upper shin also known as Tuscany. Located in northwest Italy, it is a perfectly-preserved medieval city. Siena is 144 miles (232 km) north of Rome and 43 miles (70 km) south of Florence. It is the capital city of Siena province and has a population of just 54,000.
How do I get to Siena?
Click here for detailed travel information. For international travelers, we recommend flying directly to Florence as this is the closest international airport to Siena. You can then drive (1 hour) or take one of the daily trains (approx 1.5 hours) south to Siena; a distance of 43 miles or 70 km. The next closest international airport is Rome. Siena is 245 km / 152 miles north of Rome.
What is the Palio?
Click here to see our Palio page. The Palio di Siena is a horse race between different districts of Siena. These districts are called contrade in Italian. The race is held twice a year with 10 contrade of 17 competing in each race. Race officials hold lotteries to select the competing districts. On race day, jockeys ride their horses bareback in a 3-lap race around Siena’s main square - the Piazza del Campo. Siena’s has held regular Palio races since 1656 although the first Palio may have been as early as 1583.
Why is there a Palio?
il Palio is the culmination of medieval rivalries between different districts in Siena. The city was built on three different hills called terzi. These subdivisions fought mock battles during games such as the elmora (fought with wooden swords and lances) and pugna (group boxing matches). There were also bullfights, donkey races and horse races, often following religious celebrations to commemorate a Catholic holiday. The terzi were further subdivided into districts called contrade. Most of these games were so brutal or violent that Siena’s various rulers outlawed all but one: the horse race or Palio and the tradition continues today.
When is the Palio / Should I see the July or August Palio?
There are two Palio races: July 2 and August 15. The races are identical so you can see one or the other. Only 10 of 17 contrade will compete in any given race. They are selected by lottery so different districts will compete in each race. Another difference is that the August race starts a bit later, normally around 7:30 p.m. rather than 7, because of the heat.
During the race, do the horses and jockeys sustain injuries?
Yes. The race takes place in Siena’s main square – the Piazza del Campo. The race course is shaped like a mussel shell: flat on one size and rounded on the other. There are 2 very sharp turns: San Martino (95 degrees) and Del Casato (92 degrees). Race organizers install padding on both turns to avoid injuries. Nonetheless, horses often fall or jockeys are thrown during the race, sustaining minor injuries.
How much are your tours?
Depending on your dates, you should count on spending US$300 to US$500 per person per day on a Spyns tour.
When should I book my tour?
A good rule of thumb is 6 months before you plan to travel with us.
Do I need to watch the race from a balcony or bleachers?
Yes. There are several ways to watch the race: from balconies around the square; from the bleachers; and with the crowd in the center of the square. Bleacher tickets are very expensive and hard to come by. One generation often passes their tickets down to the next! As for watching from the center square, while exciting it’s physically exhausting to watch the race among the crowds because of the heat. Not only do you have to get to the square several hours before the race, you’ll be standing directly in the hot Tuscan sun. This is why Spyns always rents balcony space in the shade facing the starting line.
What is there to do in Siena other than the Palio?
Siena is spectacular before, during and after the Palio. Italians are fond of saying that it has all the beauty of Florence, without the crowds. You can visit the city’s endless shops, museums, and cathedrals. The Duomo cathedral is particularly beautiful. Consider that Siena is also a Tuscan city so the restaurants, olive oil and wine are all excellent.
What are “contrada” and “contrade?”
The Italian word “Contrada” means “district” and “contrade” is the plural “districts.” There were originally between 40 and 50 contrade. In 1729, a royal decree reduced this number to the present 17. To the Siennese, their contrada is all-important. Babies are baptized, brides married, and funerals performed within the contrada. The palio race is but a culmination of The present contrade are Aquila (eagle), Bruco (caterpillar), Chiocciola (snail), Civetta (owl), Drago (dragon), Giraffa (giraffe), Istrice (porcupine), Leocorno (unicorn), Lupa (she-wolf), Nicchio (shell), Oca (goose), Onda (wave), Pantera (panther), Selva (forest), Tartuca (turtle), Torre (tower), and Valdimontone (Ram).
Where did the “contrade” names come from?
All of the contrade standards involve some form of animal, even though it may be mythological (dragon & unicorn). We couldn’t determine where exactly all the names and symbols came from but some are easily explained. Lupa the she-wolf is borrowed from the mythical animal that suckled Romulus (founder of Rome) and Remus (his brother). The elephant from Torre (tower) was also a symbol of Rome at one time. The goose was a symbol of Orvieto, the panther Lucca, and unicorn Viterbo. So it would appear that the Siennese borrowed many of these symbols from other city-states in Italy.
Are people from outside Siena welcome at the Palio?
Absolutely. The Siennese are generally friendly and talkative people who enjoy sharing their city and traditions with others. We also arrange for our clients to attend a contrada dinner. That said, it is very difficult for outsiders to fully understand the Palio’s importance. These people are deeply attached to their own contrada and the race is unbelievably important to them.
Where can I get a contrada scarf?
You can buy scarves from any or all of the contrada at one of the many tourist shops in Siena. Your guide can take you to a reputable vendor.
When is the race?
Depending on when the pre-race parade ends, the actual race takes place at 7 p.m. in July and 7:30 p.m. in August.
Where is the race held in Siena?
In the Piazza del Campo – Siena’s main square. Click here to see an interactive map.
Who participates in the race?
10 of 17 contrade participate in each race. The 7 districts that didn’t participate are guaranteed a spot in the following race. The 3 remaining spots are granted by lottery.
How many horses race?
10 horses race with 1 jockey per horse.
Why are there two races per year?
The most common explanation is that the August Palio was reserved for Siena’s nobility. The nobles excluded common citizens from their races and games so the commoners created their own Palio in July.
How long is the race?
It will take the horses about 90 seconds to complete 3 laps around the Piazza del Campo square. The race course is 339 meters long (1112 ft) thus three laps equal 1070 meters (0.66 miles). The course is shaped like a mussel’s shell and has 2 dangerous turns: San Martino (95 degrees) and Del Casato (92 degrees). Workers install padding on both turns to avoid injuries to horses and jockeys.
Does the winner receive a purse (money)?
No. The winning contrada receives a silk banner (called a “palio”) but no money. The winning jockey receives an undisclosed payment from their contrada.
How many people live in Siena?
Siena has a population of 56,000
How do I get around Siena?
Walk. Like many towns in Italy, the town center is off-limits to cars unless you have a permit to drive in town.
Where should I stay in Siena?
Please see our hotels page for more information.
Is Siena in Tuscany?
Yes but there are two Sienas. Siena is a southern province and also city within the province by the same name. This is a throwback to the medieval city-states. Tuscany itself is divided into 10 different regions: Massa-Carrara; Lucca; Pistoria; Prato; Firenze (Florence); Pisa; Livorno; Grosseto; Siena; and Arezzo.
What is Chianti and is Siena part of Chianti?
Chianti is a wine-growing region in Tuscany. There are two Sienas: Siena Province and Siena the city (similar to New York, NY). Part of Chianti is in the northern sections of Siena Province and surrounds the city of Siena as well. Three of the most famous towns in the region – Radda, Gaiole and Castellina – are also in Siena province.
Should I fly to Rome, Florence, Pisa, Milan or Venice?
Florence and Pisa are the closest airports to Siena, followed by Rome, Venice and Milan. Click here for detailed travel information. For international travelers, we recommend flying directly to Florence as this is the closest international airport to Siena. You can then drive (1 hour) or take one of the daily trains (approx 1.5 hours) south to Siena; a distance of 43 miles or 70 km. The next closest international airport is Rome. Siena is 245 km / 152 miles north of Rome.
Once in Italy, should I rent a car, take the train, or fly to Siena?
Unless you have a private jet, you cannot fly directly to Siena. If you are traveling from Venice or Milan, we’d recommend renting a car and driving to Siena. For all other cities (Florence, Rome, and Pisa), we’d suggest taking the train. Contrary to their reputation, Italians are quite good drivers. The government currently has a zero-tolerance program for traffic violations. Italy has the most photo radar of any European country so it is virtually impossible to speed. If you would like freedom of having your own vehicle, you should rent a car but keep in mind that: 1. It is impossible to park in Italian cities in the summertime; 2. Your hotel will charge you a lot for parking; 3. To limit inner-city traffic, all Italian cities now have city center permits. If you drive in the city center without a permit, there is a hefty fine; and 4. 95% of all rental cars in Italy are standard/stick-shift type cars. This is why you might consider taking the train. The trains mostly run on time, are inexpensive, and run throughout Italy.
Do I need a passport to travel to Italy?
Yes if you’re from any country outside of the European Community.
How much money should I bring to Italy?
That depends on your spending habits but 200-300€ (about $350-$450) should be enough spending money. There are a lot of pickpockets in Italy’s major cities so you should try to buy as much as possible with your credit cards. However, few if any vendors take AMEX cards.
What is Spyns?
Spyns is a small active travel company. We organize luxury tours to Spain, Italy, France, Ireland and Morocco to events like the Pamplona Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Oktoberfest, the Palio Horse Race in Siena, and the Tour de France.
Where is Spyns located?
We’re a small Canadian company located in Whistler, British Columbia and Beaujolais, France.
How do I contact Spyns?
Call 1-888-825-4720 or email info@spyns.com. For our international clients, you can use our live chat feature or call us through Skype “spyns.com”.
What services do you provide?
Everything but air. We can arrange for hotels, train tickets, or rental cars at no extra charge.
Do you provide airfare?
No. We do not book flights.
Can you reserve rental cars, hotels, or train tickets before or after the tours?
Yes. We can arrange for hotels, train tickets, or rental cars at no extra charge.
What are your dates and prices?
We organize our tours around the Palio races held every year on July 2 and August 15. For each tour, you can choose your hotel and level of service depending on your budget. For a list of dates and prices, please click here.
How do I book a tour?
Two ways: 1. Call us at 1.888.825.4720. We will take your credit card information, charge a US$350/person deposit, and then your tour is confirmed; or 2. Download, print, sign and fax a registration form to us toll-free at 1.866.573.4248.
When should I reserve my tour?
A good rule of thumb is 4-6 months before your tour although our trips do tend to sell out quickly.
What are your payment terms?
We require a US$350/person non-refundable deposit followed by full payment 90 days before you travel. Click here for our terms & conditions.
What if I have to cancel, do I get my deposit back?
No. Once paid the deposit is non-refundable.
For your active tours, how difficult is the cycling?
The cycling is optional and if you don’t want to ride, take the van or one of our electric mopeds. If you do want to ride, the rule of thumb is if you can handle 2 hours of flat riding, you can do any of our cycling tours. However, you should keep in mind that Tuscany is very hilly.
Do I have to stay with the guide?
Only if you want to. Our tours are like a great meal, we provide you with a menu, and you pick and choose what you want. Our guides are on-call to make your trip effortless and unforgettable. If your perfect holiday is going it alone, no problem. If you want to explore Siena with your guide, we’d love to have the company. We give you an itinerary, and you have the freedom to pick and choose what you want to do.
I want to stay in the center of Siena, is this a good idea?
Absolutely. Not only is the city center beautiful, but it is also full of shops, restaurants and cafes. If you are staying in the winning district after the Palio, it will likely be a bit noisy but the Italians are loud without being rowdy. Click here for our hotels page
Can I rent an apartment in Siena?
Yes but this isn’t a service we provide. Most summer rentals are for a one-week minimum. You should also be careful of cleaning and linen surcharges which may or may not be included in your rental price. Further, most apartments do not have air conditioning and elevators are rare. If staying in the center of Siena, find out if parking is included.
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