Okay seriously, this city is amazing.
Siena Italy is famous for its Palio. The city is packed with tourists and hotels in overlooking the race have rates of $1,000 per night.
However, the oldest Palio in the world is here in Ferrara and is exactly the same as Siena, just not marketed as well (thank goodness). We arrived at the event about 15 minutes before it started, found FREE front row seats and had a fabulous time. The costumes were amazing in the parade and the actual events were quite entertaining.
Everything was done just as it has been for 800 years, the riders rode bareback and all participants were in medieval costumes. The donkey races were hilarious. Evidently you can't make a donkey go anywhere it does not want to go.
The horse races were breathtaking. Wish you could have been here!
Is this the same Palio posted May 23?
ReplyDeleteyes, the parade was May 23, but the races were last week. They have events leading up to the races for months. So fun!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have been there also! Save a bed for me next May! Would love to see those donkey races -- I would love to have my own pair of donkeys - or burros. Hope they don't come with horseflies! What does palio mean?
ReplyDelete