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The Palio, Siena Tuscany
Welcome to Tuscany! One of the
biggest days of the year in the region, the
Palio horse race brings out emotions like no
other. Originally designed to prepare the different
Sienese communities for battle, the Palio is
so full of emotion it's hard to describe the
energy and excitement of this world class event.
The only bike trip we have, we'll be exploring
Tuscany on bikes to take advantage of the beautiful
cypress lined paths for which Tuscany has become
renowned. Welcome to the Palio!
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After meeting in Siena and
watching a quick Palio movie we head to a charming
little winery outside Montalcino where we pick
up our bikes. Our short bike ride takes us to
Montalcino, where we're getting a private tour
of this charming town and having lunch. Our
afternoon ride takes us to Pienza where we're
staying at the fabulous Welcome drinks will be held over
the expanding vista of the Tuscan valley.
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Today's ride takes us to the
hillside fortress of Montepulciano where we'll
be having a tour of this historic city. That
day's ride takes us past the famous Vino Noble
vineyards and olive oil plantations. That evening
we'll be taking a private tour of Pienza, commissioned
to be built by Pope Pius II.
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On our way to the beautiful
in Asciano, we cycle by the isolated abbey of
Monte Oliveto Maggiore. A fantastic tribute
to the past where parts of the English Patient
was filmed. That evening we'll be receiving
a presentation on what is going to happen through
the Palio and the selection of the horses.
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Early that morning we'll be
transferring to the Piazza del Campo in Siena
for the horse selection and lottery. Between
the selection and lottery we'll be taking a
mini tour of Siena that will continue on July
2nd. That afternoon, we're cycling to San Gemignano
where we'll be staying at the fantastic
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Our morning ride takes us around
the valley surrounding San Gemignano before our afternoon
tour of this city and its famous towers. Late afternoon
is reserved for exploring the walls and artisan shops
of this spectacular town.
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Our morning ride takes us
through Montiriggioni to Siena where we'll be
staying at the That evening we'll be attending
our first trial race of the Palio where you'll
begin to see first hand how much passion is
involved with this race. Dinner will be served
within one of Siena's historic contradas where
the horse and the racer will be saluted prior
to the next race.
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The Palio! Today's a very
big day! We'll be attending the final trial
race in the morning before finishing our tour
of the city. You'll have an opportunity later
that morning to explore more of the city before
the track is cleared and the Historic Pageant
begins. The processions culminate with the posturing
of the horses and the gunshot that starts the
race. Hold onto your hats, the Palio is fast
and furious. That night, after dinner in the
Piazza, we'll be visiting the winning contrada
to view the Palio.
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All great journeys must come to
an end. We'll drive you back to Florence for your
next great adventure story.
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