Hello,

I will be in Tuscany during the Palio. I am travelling with my parenst who are well into their 70's. I have heard that the Palio is worth seeing. How difficult is it getting around Sienna during this time? Any recommendations on how to best take advantage of this event and making it easy for my parents would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

The entire town is packed to the gills. To be able to see anything you either ave to have access to a building right on the square (probably long gone) or stand for a long period of time. Plus - it's likely to be very hot. Fun - but not for the fainthearted or those without substantial stamina.

I would never attempt this with a couple of elderly parents.

tickets would be best for your parents, but they run about 400 euro a pop, i think.

honestly, from what i've read and heard about the palio, and having traveled with my elderly parents and in-laws, i wouldn't recommend it unless you can afford the reserved seats. sorry.

It's absolute insanity, and yes, "getting around," if you even can, will be problematic.
Sure, it's worth seeing, but unless you already bought tickets, and good, costly ones, months ago, you won't "see it," even if you pack yourself into the center of the campo with a million insane, incensed Italians.

It's an absolutely fabulous, once-in-a-lifetime event if you plan for it a year or so in advance. Winging it, IMO, would be pretty much a disaster with elderly parents. I'd "best take advantage of this event" by hightailing it out of town that day to somewhere else.

Looks like everyone is throwing cold water on your idea of seeing the Palio, and I'd have to say that I agree...to a certain extent. However, if you are in the area in the days leading up to the Palio, you can see processions, parties in the various contrade, and get a diluted sense of the event. We were in Siena on the Wednesday and Thursday before a Saturday Palio three years ago, and we did get to witness some parties and processions without feeling like we were going to be squeezed out of existence. In the lead-up to the Palio, I think even your elderly parents might be able to enjoy themselves. But on the actual day ofthe event, I'd agree with those who advise you to be elsewhere unless you have special reservations.

We weren't there for Palio, but we did go on the Saturday of All Saints Day weekend. Who'd a thought that would be such a big mistake?!

It was shoulder-to-shoulder crowded in all the main areas. We couldn't wait to leave. I can't imagine what it would be like during the Palio.

I've only seen photos of the Palio crowds. To be honest I don't see the fun in being packed like standing sardines (those without the seats). What if you need to use the toilet? It will most likely be torture for your parents.

From one who has seen it..the spectacle (if you can call it that) lasts about three and a half minutes.

Whether or not it is "worth it" depends totally on you.

We arrived a few days before the actual Palio. There are however smaller races in the Campo in the AM and you can go then quite easily. Also at that time the drum and flag units are practicing and marching all over the city. If you have reservation already ask your hotel if they can get you some seating. The little races are usually with young teenagers on horses and are televised. You can walkthrough the Campo with its dirt track and get a good idea about the event.

Dukey is absolutely correct -

for anyone to say 90 seconds is the experience of a lifetime is beyond me - The Palio is Italy to a T - lots of blah and little delivery -

the real experience are the weeks/days leading up to the event when each contrade parade/ feast and scrap.

I think that unless it gets to 30oC plus the whole affair is manageable but you will have to be there 2 hours plus before kick off.

Parking in Siena is always free and best on the road out to Buonconvento near the old hospital. Never fails us even on the Palio day.