To book now use our online booking form
Vichy July - Grand Prix de Vichy
Deauville August - Grand Prix de Deauville
Turkey September- Malagritz Trophy
Paris October - Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Monte Carlo February - Grand Prix du Conseil General des Alpes Maritimes
Mob: + 44 (0) 7715 060137 Fax: + 44 (0) 845 460 5001
Forthcoming events
Mob: + 44 (0) 7715 060137 Fax: + 44 (0) 845 460 5001
Selection of our French Destinations for 2013
Siena
“ Experience the Palio
from a truly exclusive position.”
July 2013
Itinerary
Our Tour Price includes.
Return transpport London/Florence/London
Three night’s accommodation in the Castel Monastero Hotel with buffet breakfast, welcome amenity in the room and one dinner for two in “La Cantina” including wines
Transfers throughout
Exclusive facilities to watch the Palio di Siena
Representative services for the duration of the tour
£2445.00 per person
Single room supplement for the weekend: £1350.00
Sunday 30th June
Late morning departure from London to Siena via Florence with transfers direct to the hotel and evening at leisure.
Monday 1st July
Day at leisure until the evening to enjoy dinner in “La Cantina” with wines from the Castello di Monestero wine selection
Tuesday 2nd July
Depart hotel for the 15 minute drive to Siena with exclusive views from a private apartment to watch the Palio di Siena overlooking the “Curva di San Martino” Champagne cocktails and a light dinner are served.
Wednesday 3rd July
Check out of the hotel in time for a midday departure from Florence for return transportation to London.
Palio di Siena
What could be more exciting.........
The Palio di Siena is one of the most famous horse races in Italy and is held twice a year, on 2nd July and 16th August.
Known to the locals as simply Il Palio, the race was first run in 1656 to celebrate an apparition of the Virgin Mary. It lasts 90 seconds but generates feuds that continue for decades
The origins of this race are medieval, and the first modern Palio took place in 1656. The race itself, in which the jockeys ride bareback, circles the Piazza del Campo, on which a thick layer of dirt has been laid, three times and usually lasts no more than 90 seconds. It is not uncommon for a few of the jockeys to be thrown off their horses while making the treacherous turns in the piazza, and indeed, it is not unusual to see unmounted horses finishing the race without their jockeys. Jockeys are dressed in appropriate colours representing 10 of the seventeen contrade, or city wards, the riders circle 3 times around the Piazza del Campo, one of the symbols of Sienna. The race is proceeded by a magnificent pagaent, the Corteo Storico, proceeds the race which includes (among many others) Alfieri, flag wavers in medieval costumes.
The beautiful hotel, Castell Monestero, offers its guests the unique opportunity to experience the Palio de Sienna from a truly exclusive view, from the windows of a private apartments overlooking directly the “Curva di San Martino” one of the most renowned curves of the Piazza del Campo, often decisive to the outcome of the race.
The hotel also offers a 50 minute spa treatment per person and access to the indoor water area including swimming pool and relaxation zones.