palio

An Exclusive Window on Siena's Speedy Horse Race

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

If you blink during The Palio de Siena in Italy, it's not like you'll miss the entire horse race. But you'll miss a lot of it, since the whole thing typically takes 90 seconds.

The Palio was developed in the 16th century as an alternative to bullfighting. For nearly two action-packed minutes, horses and bareback jockeys tear around the Piazza del Campo, pictured above, albeit not on race day. During the race, the streets are lined dirt. The turns are sharp, jockeys are often thrown, but since the race is scored by the horse and not the jockey, a horse can still win even if its jockey is crumpled on the ground somewhere.

Crowds will throng to watch the action on August 16th, but you can rise above them if you book a package offered by Castel Monastero, called "Your Private Window on Siena's Palio". The three-night package includes, among other things, a VIP seat on the palazzo overlooking the San Martino curve. (Champagne and snacks included, natch.) Pricing starts at 1,000 Euro per night for a superior room.

Tags: horseracing, hotel deals, italy, luxury travel, palio, Siena