Siena, Italy - Medieval Life
and Horse Racing
Side note: Here's another free article about Italy for you by a fellow traveler. Italy has so many wonderful spots to visit, and although this Website is primarily about Cinque Terre (my favorite place!) there are other well-loved areas to see and experience, so keep reading...
by Rick Chapo
Italy has many well-known travel destinations such as Rome. Less publicized destinations such as Siena are even better.
Siena, Italy
Located roughly an hour outside of Florence, Siena is one of my favorite places in Italy. When you think gothic architecture and medieval town, you think of Siena. Built as a fortified city behind large, thick walls on a small mountain, Siena oozes history. Cars are barred from much of the city, so you can meander down ancient brick alleyways below towering wall-to-wall residences.
The best way to experience Siena is to simply stay there. Like wine, Siena improves the longer you stay. Daily explorations lead to surprising little shops, incredibly friendly people and a general feeling of peace.
Il Palio
If you prefer a little action on your trip, Siena has an event that rivals any in Europe. The Il Palio bareback horse race around the Piazza del Campo is a sight to be seen. The fun starts well before the race when various neighborhoods challenge each other. The challenge comes in the form of bands walking through “enemy” neighborhoods in the middle of the night and making an unholy racket. Eventually, each neighborhood produces a horse and rider for the day of the race. Bareback, the riders race for neighborhood pride among an absolutely screaming crowd of people. The running of the bulls has nothing on this event.
If you visit Florence while in Italy, take the time to spend a couple days in Siena. In fact, blow past Florence and go immediately to Siena.
Rick Chapo is with www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. Travel journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for student travel, family vacations and adventure travel. Visit www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles, travelogues and travel stories. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo
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