Il Palio di Siena Il Palio di Siena

The Palio is a 4 day festival. Below we have outlined the activities relating to the event over the four day period and how you can enjoy them as a part of your own reservation Package. The Days of the Palio hotel/ticket Package options are given below. Rates are with 3 nights hotel (unless indicated otherwise), daily breakfast, Palio tickets of your choice, plus Contrada banquet dinner and Siena city tour.

Day 1:

Arrive and check in to your hotel in Siena. Of course take an opportunity to explore the city and all its medieval charm. It is a city full of artistic heritage and architecture.

Day 2:

A day to tour the Tuscan countryside or later take part in a cooking class followed by a sit down dinner; our way of starting each Palio and getting to know our clients. (These options are priced separately).

Day 3:

The morning is free to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Palio with the morning prova (trial race). The late afternoon provides your Siena city tour, including an exclusive visit to one of the Contrada museum. Later, in the evening you will have the opportunity to attend one of the Contrada banquet, invitation only dinners where the many members and supporters for each Contrade will dine al fresco in their own neighborhood within the historical city. Between the wine, the food and the friendliest of atmospheres, you will surely begin to understand how the Palio is more than just a horse race.

Day 4:

A full day of Palio related activities, before the final race in the evening. The morning brings the final trial race, then around 2:30 opportunities abound for viewing the history unfold as the contradaioli (Contrada members) begin their parade in medieval costume through the city, stopping at various key points to display their colors and flag waving skills. All paths will eventually lead to Piazza del Campo, where in the late afternoon, the formal historical parade will begin. The color and pageantry is followed by the most famous horse race in all of Italy.

Day 5:

After morning breakfast, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels. If you looking for other sights in Tuscany please let us help you with our daily tours that feature the beautiful sights and hill top villages of the region, or if you need personal transfers to say Florence or Rome, we would be glad to provided such services.

Our select hotels are considered the best in Siena for their accommodations and high level of personal services. You will enjoy a buffet breakfast and the convenience of their respective locations. Five of the six hotel options are within easy walking distances to the heart of the city and Piazza del Campo. Only Borgo Grandaie requires a short taxi or bus ride in order to arrive at the center of town.

What's Included Summary

Terms & Conditions
The Days of the Palio Special Event Package ("Package") is NOT an Escorted Group Tour. The Package is a combination of services and products designed for independent travelers that wish to enjoy the freedom of an un-escorted trip with the convenience and value of a package price. The Package does not include transportation, transfers, tour escort (other than on guided Siena City Tour), or any services not explicitly listed on the invoice provided to you for your reservation. If you wish to have such additional services, please let us know as they can be added. The support for the tour comes from our own on-site personnel and other professionals who we know personally and have worked with for many years. Hotel personnel and official tour guides whom we “employ” for their services all agree with our expectation to provide you with a high level of customer service and attention.

Payments: A 40% deposit is required in order to confirm your reservation. Payments can be made by credit card (VISA, M/C, AMEX) or by Euro bank transfer. The remaining balance (60%) will be due March 1st (July Palio) or April 1st (August Palio). With credit card payments, the balance payment will automatically be charged to the credit card provided, unless the reservation is otherwise cancelled or notice is given to use an alternate form of payment. For reservations made after March 1st, full payment is required.

Cancellations: Due to the nature of Special Events and the ticketing and reservation process, Tickets purchased for the Palio, cannot be refunded for any reason ("Tickets" are defined as Palio race tickets, trial races and or final race). If, however, you are not able to attend the Palio and wish to cancel your reservation and your notice to cancel is received prior to 45 days before Start Date (June 29th or August 13th) and if another buyer can be found for the Tickets by either party, the Company will provide for a refund for the selling price of the tickets, net of any transaction costs so incurred, including but not limited to credit card service charges, reservation transfer fees and or commissions. Refunds for hotel accommodations or other travel options supplied for any cancelled Special Event package will be subject to the refund schedule found below.

IF YOU DECIDE TO CANCEL, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE COMPANY IN WRITING OF YOUR INTENT TO CANCEL. If you cancel a reservation and the written cancellation is received within 30 days from the date you made the reservation, then all fees paid will be refunded, with exception to the provisions for Tickets stated above and otherwise net of credit card service charges.

After the first 30 days of your reservation period, deposits and payments for accommodations will follow the refund schedule below. If you cancel after the first 30-day period and someone takes your place, then administrative cancellation fees may apply, in addition to Ticket costs, which will be deducted from your deposit or payments. After the 30 day initial reservation period, but
Prior to 90 days before Start Date: Refund, less 25% of total cost, net of Tickets;
Prior to 60 days before Start Date: Refund, less 50% of total cost, net of Tickets;
Prior to 45 days before Start Date: Refund, less 75% of total cost, net of Tickets;
Less than 45 days before Start Date: No refunds.

Event Cancellations: In the case of rain, the Palio race will be rescheduled to run on the following day. Your tickets are valid for the rescheduled race. Cancellations of the Palio race, or the rescheduled race, or the Contrada Dinner or City Tour due to weather conditions are not refundable. The Company reserves the right to cancel the Cooking Class option at any time if sufficient reservations are not received or for other unforeseen reasons that impair the success or enjoyment of the Cooking Class that is offered as part of any Palio Package. If the Cooking Class is canceled, all Cooking Class related deposits and or payments will be returned in full. No refunds are made for unused portions of any reservation, including but not limited to missed meals, missed guided tours, Tickets (includes airline tickets), or non-use of hotel room or property rental.

Passports & Visas: All customers must posses a valid passport and/or any visas or special travel documents that can be used a proof of citizenship. The Company accepts no liability for clients improperly documented.