T H E R U N T O

2 7 J U N E — 3 J U L Y

P A L I O

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 f leet 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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T H E RU N TO PA L IO

Overview

1T U E SDAY

2 7 T H J U N E

The Amalfi coast

Palazzo Avino

Welcome party

Lobster and martini’s overlooking the sky

and sea

4F R I DAY

10 T H J U N E

Driving in gorgeous Tuscany

Montalcino and Chianti wineries

Relais La Suvera and a

mini recreation of the Palio from our little friends

2W E DN E SDAY

2 8 T H J U N E

The wild and wonderful Parco Matese

A totally unique medieval

village converted into a hotel

A proper Italian

village fiesta

5SAT U R DAY

1ST J U LY

Relaxing in the beautiful surrounds of La Suvera

Siena

Palio party in

Piazza del Campo

3T H U R SDAY

2 9 T H J U N E

Stunning Grand Sasso mountain

Michelin starred lunch

at Palazzo Seneca

Val D’Orcia

The Spa at Castel Porrona

6SU N DAY

2 N D J U LY

Blessing of the horses

The historical parade

The world’s oldest and most intense horse race:

The Palio di Siena

T H E RU N TO PA L IO

Highlights

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R AV E L L O SA N T O ST E FA NO DI S E S SA N IO VA L D'ORC I A S I E NA

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T H E RU N TO PA L IO

The Route

1T U E SDAY 2 7 T H J U N E

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.

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

2W E DN E SDAY 2 8 T H J U N E

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.

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 Diffusosantostefano.sextantio.it/en

3T H U R SDAY 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.

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 Porronacastelporrona.com

4F R I DAY 3 0 T H J U N E

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.

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 Suveralasuvera.it/en/

5SAT U R DAY 1S T J U LY

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.

6SU N DAY 2 N D J U LY

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 Suveralasuvera.it/en/

Telephone

+44(0)207 706 8502

Email

info@therunto.com

Website

therunto.com

Price

€39,000 inc. tax

Two people in one vehicle supercars only

T H E R U N T O

2 7 J U N E — 3 J U L Y

P A L I O