THE RUN TO PALIO 27 JUNE 3 JULY

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1 THE RUN TO PALIO 27 JUNE 3 JULY

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3 THE RUN TO PALIO Overview F or more than 500 years the Tuscan capital of Siena has burned with one obsession: The Palio. Known as the oldest horse race in the world, this awesome spectacle is the culmination of a year long battle between the seventeen districts or Contrade. On clay and earth laid down in the central Piazza del Campo, known as one of Europe s greatest medieval squares, battle commences between the jockeys and their steeds. Overlooked by centuries old buildings and a simmering throng of eager supporters this is a truly special event and an obvious destination for the world s best supercar rally. The Run To Palio is an epic road adventure that begins high above the coast on the Amalfi peninsula, tackles the wild and mountainous Appenines on Italy s central spine, and luxuriates in the beauty of the rolling Tuscan countryside before an uproarious weekend at the Palio Di Siena. Inspired by the golden age of GT motoring this is a journey that will take you deep into the most beautiful and unseen parts of rural Italy in the midst of a fleet of cars equally as magnificent. We ve taken great care to select original and luxurious properties for every stop, so that after a day on the road you ll have an evening to remember. Of course, great food and wine are also vital to the trip but any Run To rally does not just stop here. Immersive theatre, spellbinding shows, music and many other forms of merriment all contribute to a trip you ll never forget. The final word is also one of the most important - service. We have an experienced, friendly and efficient team dedicated to taking care of the details so that you can enjoy the adventure. From literally parachuting family members in to replacing lost jewellery we ll always endeavour to do our best for you.

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5 THE RUN TO PALIO Highlights T U E SDAY W E DN E SDAY T H U R SDAY F R I DAY SATURDAY SU N DAY 27 TH JUNE 28TH JUNE 29TH JUNE 10TH JUNE 1ST JULY 2ND JULY The Amalfi coast Palazzo Avino Welcome party Lobster and martini s overlooking the sky and sea The wild and wonderful Parco Matese A totally unique medieval village converted into a hotel A proper Italian village fiesta Stunning Grand Sasso mountain Michelin starred lunch at Palazzo Seneca Val D Orcia The Spa at Castel Porrona Driving in gorgeous Tuscany Montalcino and Chianti wineries Relais La Suvera and a mini recreation of the Palio from our little friends Relaxing in the beautiful surrounds of La Suvera Siena Palio party in Piazza del Campo Blessing of the horses The historical parade The world s oldest and most intense horse race: The Palio di Siena

6 THE RUN TO PALIO The Route A R AV ELLO B SANTO STEFANO DI SESSANIO C VAL D'ORCIA D SIENA D C B A

7 1 TUESDAY 27 TH JUNE On the less busy southern side of the famous Amalfi peninsula, dramatically craggy mountains plunge straight into the deliciously blue sea below. In a hollow 1000ft above sits Palazzo Avino a regular in Best hotels of the world awards. Here in the rarefied air you can hardly tell where the sky ends and the Mediterranean begins. A magical place then and the perfect setting to begin The Run To s exciting new adventure to the Palio di Siena.

8 We fell in love with this hotel on sight, but on being shown a sublime terrace with a martini bar that can knock up over 100 different variations we really were in heaven. As the sun dips below the horizon we look forward to welcoming everyone with a classy evening of Martini s, lobster, and the smooth Domenico Tarlusso singing the great Italian classics. Hotel Palazzo Avino palazzoavino.com

9 2 WEDNESDAY 28 TH JUNE Morning sees the start-line of The Run To Palio, where a selection of supercars lie poised on the tarmac in a wonderfully dramatic location. This is the beginning of an epic adventure along the wild central spine of Italy on roads less-traveled. One of the most surprising locations we ve visited in Europe, Parco Matese, embodies this wildness and marks our first lunch stop on a local ranch.

10 Roaring out of the land that time forgot and moving North we hit some classically Roman roads, straight as a die and passing through beautiful meadowland. Suddenly the route turns right and winds up the side of the valley to a very unusual property, Sexantio Albergo Diffuso. A cultural and historical project as well as a hotel, the Albergo Diffuso has brought to life an old village by converting primitive houses spread around the hamlet into rooms and suites. They have remained totally true to the ancient conventions and decoration of the region which gives an incredibly rustic vibe with some luxurious touches such as huge free-standing baths. We match the atmosphere with an evening of feasting on stews, traditional music, and dancing in the square. Hotel Albergo Diffuso santostefano.sextantio.it/en

11 3 T H U R S DAY 2 9 T H J U N E The start of todays drive is one of the most spectacular we ve seen, zipping through upland mountain meadows with the occasional cow for company before winding down a perfect mountain road. We re heading North again up through Abruzzo and on to Palazzo Seneca where we ll be stopping for a very tasty lunch from the Michelin starred kitchen of Emanuele Mazella.

12 After a very good lunch the sight of Tuscany on the horizon will be enough to raise the pulse and heighten the concentration. Rightly fêted as one of the most beautiful regions in the world we ll be enjoying the back roads and drinking in the gorgeous views. The destination is Castel Porrona an ancient terracotta-tiled castle surrounded by tall Cyprus trees and overlooking the rolling countryside from it s elevated position. A relaxed evening at The Spa at Castel Porrona awaits. Hotel Castel Porrona castelporrona.com

13 4 FRIDAY 30 TH JUNE It s true that you can have too much of a good thing, but surely this doesn t apply to driving in Tuscany? After a sterling breakfast with locally made marmalades and honey washed down with Italian coffee, we head out again into the countryside. Passing through the Montalcino and Chianti wine regions, we ll be stopping for lunch in a famous winery.

14 The final leg of our drive takes us to our home for the weekend, Relais La Suvera. A former winner of the most excellent hotel in Europe, it s a magnificent old building formerly belonging to the nobility of Siena. Furthermore the larger suites are housed in the old Stables and are lavishly decorated with old paintings of famous horses to have competed in the Palio and the silks of jockeys who have won. To immerse ourselves even further into the spirit of the forthcoming Palio we ll have an alfresco dinner in the courtyard of Relais La Suvera and a mini recreation of the Palio from our little friends. Hotel Relais La Suvera lasuvera.it/en/

15 5 SATURDAY 1 ST JULY After the excesses of the night before a relaxing morning by the pool or in the gorgeous grounds of this ancient gem will be followed by a leisurely and delicious tuscan lunch. The afternoon is also at leisure to enjoy the the hotel until the shadows lengthen and we move into Siena itself to soak up the atmosphere. We ll be heading to the ancient Piazza de Campo, the very centre of the action, and the place where the race take place the next day. We ll dine on excellent Italian fare and delicious red wine tables set up on the track itself watching as the square crackles with the electric atmosphere of a city on it s most exciting night of the year before joining the party until the early hours.

16 6 SUNDAY 2 ND JULY Our favourite of the many Palio traditions is the blessing of the horse in the finest church of the contrada. We ll be there to drink in the pageantry and history before moving to the Piazza di Campo once again and our seats in prime position close to the start and finish of the race. It s here that all the deals are made or threats sworn between the jockeys that have such a bearing on the result. And then the off, years of heritage and civic pride encapsulated in a matter of thrilling and highly dangerous minutes. For the victors, pure elation and crazy celebrations, for the rest of the Contradas thoughts begin to turn to the next year. Hotel Relais La Suvera lasuvera.it/en/

17 THE RUN TO PALIO 27 JUNE 3 JULY Telephone +44(0) info@therunto.com Website therunto.com Price 39,000 inc. tax Two people in one vehicle supercars only