Palio in Siena

I will be there for the one in August. A couple days before they have practice trials around the square that you can see if you don't want to be around the crowd. The night before the race, each neighborhood has a big outdoor dinner. And there is a parade in the afternoon before the palio race.

Attending the palio in Siena is a must if you are there on July 2 or August 16. Not doing so would be like going to Rio de Janeiro the weekend before Ash Wednesday and not going to see the Carnival.

Roberto, I have read many of your comments on this board and you are always very helpful. I guess I will be going to the Palio. We haven't booked a place yet in the area, but should I assume that lodgings will also be scarce because of the crowds? We really want to stay in Umbria for 4 nights and then in Sienna/ Tuscany somewhere for 4 nights. I am suffering from information overload (too many opinions and info on the internet) trying to find two "home bases" from which to enjoy these beautiful areas of IT and can't make up my mind. We will have a car to explore, so we drive up to Siena (not in) for the Palio. thanks again.

Isn't it amazing how many people want to help through the travel forum!?! Hope you haven't reached overload but I have some help to offer! I was in Siena for the week before the July palio - every day all around the neighborhoods there were bands, flag throwers, trials with the horses (did you know that it's the horse that wins with or without a jockey?), and lots of local color. What there isn't is large crowds, until the day before the race when there is a 'practice run.' Now forgive me but my directions for a good viewing place may be unsatisfactory to some but I found this place quite by accident and claim it every year. There is an entrance to the Campo from the Banchi di Sopra. You'll recognize it by a (wonderful) gelato shop at the top of the incline and an open gate towards the bottom. If you stand towards the top, on your right, even when the gate is closed during the race you have a good view of most of the Campo. The start/finish line is pretty much right in front of you! It's crowded but no where near the multitude you see inside! I like that place for the day of the race, and the evening before. The rest of the time tourists don't seem to know much is going on so that makes the Campo much more manageable. Bummer, I'm in Siena inbetween palios this summer. Have fun for me?

I will also be in Tuscany the week of the Palio. I was orginally thinking to attend one of the practice runs instead of the actual event. We did want to see the local flavor events such as flag throwers, parades, etc. Is July 1st the best day for that? Or is that as crowded as July 2?
We are staying in farmhouse 10-15 miles north of Siena. What is the best way to get to Siena with all the crowds? We do have a car, but thought that it would be simpler and less stressful to drive to a small nearby town and take the bus. Any suggestions?

Parking might an issue the day of the Palio, although I don't have direct experience because I've gone there from Florence exclusively by motorcycle (therefore had no problems parking really close). There are lots of parking lots near the stadium, very close to the Campo, but on that day a safer bet is probably either at the station (multi-story parking) or at the huge parking of the Siena University Medical Center (Policlinico Universitario di Siena) at Santa Maria delle Scotte from where you'd take a bus to the center.