Italy: Siena's Palio horse races

If you're planning a trip to Tuscany this summer make sure you experience one of Siena's Palio horse races, which bring a buzz to this beautiful medieval city at least twice each year. Siena is divided into 17 fiercely competitive districts (the contrade), including the Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, and, rather touchingly, the Giraffes. Each contrade has its own emblem, anthem, museum, and colourful costumes and banners, and each year the districts draw lots for a horse which then competes in the races.

This is crazy Sienese-style horse racing however, with the competitors careering round the city's shell-shaped central square (Piazza del Campo) at breakneck speed surrounded by cheering supporters. Make sure you are in Siena for the evening before the race when the contrade hold feasts and parade through the narrow streets, playing music, waving flags, and generally proclaiming to be the best. And don't forget to choose a district to support!

The Siena Palio horse races are held on July 2nd and August 16th.

Claire Saxby