6-Day Palio di Siena Immersive Travel Experience

Following the Palio as It Unfolds

Begin the day with La Seconda Prova, the second official Palio trial, experienced from your reserved private window overlooking Piazza del Campo.

As the horses and jockeys return to the track, you begin to see how the relationship between each Contrada, its horse and its jockey develops during the days leading to the race.

Later, discover another side of Palio culture with a private guided visit to a Contrada Museum. Through historic objects, banners, costumes and memories of past victories, you will gain a deeper understanding of the identity, traditions and history preserved by Siena’s Contrade.

The remainder of the day is yours to experience Siena at your own pace. During the Palio, the Contrada neighbourhoods become increasingly active as preparations continue throughout the historic centre and anticipation builds towards race day.

In the evening, return to your reserved window for La Terza Prova, the third official trial. From your elevated viewpoint, continue following the horses, jockeys and Contrade as the Palio moves another step closer to race day.

Day 2 Highlights: La Seconda Prova · Private Window · Contrada Museum · Siena at Leisure · La Terza Prova

Included: Private Window for La Seconda Prova · Private Guided Visit to a Contrada Museum · Private Window for La Terza Prova · Palio Angel Assistance

The Eve of the Palio

The day before the Palio marks a decisive stage of your journey, as Siena and its Contrade move closer to race day and anticipation builds throughout the historic centre. In the morning, return to your reserved private window overlooking Piazza del Campo for La Quarta Prova, the fourth official Palio trial. At this stage, the relationship between each Contrada, its horse and jockey becomes increasingly significant as the final preparations for the race continue.

The rest of the day is yours to experience Siena at your own pace and observe the changing atmosphere of the Contrada neighbourhoods as the city prepares for one of the most important evenings of Palio week.

La Prova Generale

In the evening, return to your private window for La Prova Generale, the fifth and most important evening trial before the Palio. From your reserved viewpoint above Piazza del Campo, follow the horses and jockeys through one of the final stages of preparation before race day, as anticipation across Siena continues to build.

The Contrada Dinner

After the Prova Generale, join a traditional Contrada Dinner – Cena della Prova Generale, when Contrada members, families, friends and invited guests gather around long communal tables in the streets and squares of their neighbourhood.

This is not a restaurant dinner or an event staged for visitors. You are joining a real Contrada gathering on one of the most significant evenings of the Palio, experiencing from within the traditions, atmosphere and sense of community that define Contrada life.

Day 3 Highlights: La Quarta Prova · Private Window · La Prova Generale · Contrada Dinner · Contrada Life on the Eve of the Palio

Included: Private Window for La Quarta Prova · Private Window for La Prova Generale · Escorted Contrada Dinner · Palio Angel Assistance

From La Provaccia to the Race

The day you have been following since La Tratta has arrived. Today is the Palio di Siena, and the city enters the final and most intense stage of the celebration. The morning begins with La Provaccia, the sixth and final official Palio trial. Return to your reserved private window overlooking Piazza del Campo to complete the series of trials you have followed since the first evening.

La Provaccia traditionally has a different atmosphere from the previous trials. With the race only hours away, attention has shifted completely towards the Palio and the Contrade are already focused on the afternoon ahead.

The Horse Blessing

In the afternoon, accompanied by local assistance, experience La Benedizione del Cavallo – the Horse Blessing, one of the most deeply rooted traditions of Palio day.

Inside the Contrada, the horse receives the traditional blessing before beginning its journey towards Piazza del Campo. This intimate ritual offers another perspective on the relationship between the Contrada, its community and the horse that will represent it in the race.

The Historical Procession

Later, the Corteo Storico – Historical Procession makes its way towards Piazza del Campo. Representatives of Siena’s Contrade, flag bearers, drummers and historical figures fill the city with colours and sounds before entering the Piazza, while the Carroccio carries the Drappellone, the painted banner awarded to the winning Contrada.

Reserved Viewing Overlooking the Mossa

For the culmination of your journey, take your reserved position overlooking the Mossa area, according to your selected package option: 2 balcony spots (1 seated + 1 standing) or a Private Window.

From your reserved viewpoint, follow the final preparations and La Mossa, the complex starting procedure in which nine horses enter between the canapi while the tenth, the rincorsa, remains outside and determines the moment of the start.

Then, in an instant, the Palio begins: three laps of Piazza del Campo. After following the horse assignment, all six official trials and the traditions of the Contrade over the previous days, the race becomes the culmination of a story you have experienced from the beginning.

Day 4 Highlights: La Provaccia · Private Window · Horse Blessing · Historical Procession · La Mossa · Palio di Siena · Reserved Race Viewing

Included: Private Window for La Provaccia · Guided Horse Blessing Experience · Palio Angel Assistance · Reserved Race Viewing overlooking the Mossa area according to the selected package option

The Celebrations Continue

The morning after the Palio reveals another side of Siena. After the intensity of race day, the city begins to settle, while celebrations continue within the winning Contrada.

Walking through the historic centre, you may encounter Contrada members celebrating their victory, displaying their colours through the streets and gathering around the Drappellone, the painted banner awarded to the winner of the Palio.

The day is intentionally left at leisure, giving you time to explore Siena at your own pace and experience the atmosphere of the city after the race.

Having followed the Palio from La Tratta through all six official trials and race day, you will now recognise many of the traditions, symbols and places encountered throughout your journey and understand them from a very different perspective.

For the winning Contrada, the Palio does not end at the finish line. Celebrations and traditional moments of thanksgiving continue after the race, offering a final insight into the importance of the Palio within Siena’s Contrada life.

In Case of Palio Postponement

If weather or track conditions make racing unsafe, the Palio may be postponed by the Municipality of Siena. The 5-night structure of the Immersive Experience includes an additional day after the scheduled race date, providing greater flexibility should the Palio be postponed and allowing the programme to adapt accordingly.

Day 5 Highlights: Siena at Leisure · Post-Palio Atmosphere · Winning Contrada Celebrations · Historic Centre

Included: Fifth Night Accommodation in Central Siena · Daily Breakfast · Palio Angel Assistance

The End of Your Palio Journey

After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in Siena before checking out from your hotel. Depending on your departure time, take a final walk through the historic centre, return to Piazza del Campo, or simply enjoy the atmosphere of Siena after the extraordinary days you have experienced.

From La Tratta and the horse assignment through all six official trials, Contrada traditions and the Palio itself, your journey has allowed you to follow the event as it unfolds from beginning to end.

What began with the assignment of the horses in Piazza del Campo concludes with a deeper understanding of the traditions, communities and rituals that make the Palio such an extraordinary part of Siena’s identity.

Your Palio Angel remains your local point of reference through the conclusion of the programme, assisting with final coordination where required.

Day 6 Highlights: Breakfast · Final Morning in Siena · Check-out

Included: Daily Breakfast · Palio Angel Assistance until the Conclusion of the Programme