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Siena---avoiding the Palio

Posted by (Seattle, WA) on

I'm starting to plan a family trip to Italy for early summer 2010, and we would like to include a 3-night stay in Siena. I don't have exact dates yet, but it looks like we will be close to the July 2 Palio. While I know this is an exciting event, we would prefer to avoid the crowds and high prices that accompany it. Would we be all right in the last few days of June? Or do the lodgings book up (and raise their prices) for the whole previous week (to enjoy the pre-race events)? Should I schedule the whole trip so we arrive in Siena afterwards?

Thanks for your help!

Posted by
1589 posts

The ramp up week is very hectic, but things clear out A LITTLE ( do not expect to be lonely in July- still very crowded everywhere in Italy this time of year ) a day or two after either race.

Posted by
17229 posts

Thanks. I guess I can rearrange the order of the trip so we get there earlier---before June 25---or we'll go afterwards.

Posted by
1005 posts

Went to Siena several days after the July 2006 Palio and it wasn't too bad. We were not staying in Siena though

Posted by
2297 posts

We were in Siena in June 2006 a few days before the Palio. It was actually quite interesting to see how they prepared for the big event. The city itself felt MUCH more quiet than Florence was 2 days earlier.

We stayed at an agriturismo so I can't comment on accommodation IN Siena during that time.

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