Upon arriving in Siena, Italy, we traveled first across the winding sidewalks which led us to the Campo, the public square. Before us, kiosks of various vendors dotted the wide-open area stretched out in front of the impressive Palazzo Pubblico and its tower. Around the outer edge of the square, a wooden barrier was being installed in anticipation of the Palio, a horse race held twice each summer.

The medieval city owes some of its recognition to this time-honored tradition that features horses and riders from the 17 districts, or contradas, in a three-lap race that takes under two minutes to complete. But that’s not all. In addition to the Palio, the Campo and the Palazzo Pubblico, Siena is home to a magnificent cathedral, numerous other churches filled with art and various museums.