Perched Above Siena with a Porcupine and a Macchiato

Join me now from a secret hideaway above Europe’s finest square — Siena’s Il Campo. I’m here with my friend and guide, Roberto Bechi, just enjoying a caffè macchiato and experiencing one of Italy’s great cities.

Twice every summer, all of Siena hurls itself with medieval abandon into the world’s wildest horse race — the Palio — and this square is overcome by pandemonium. As Roberto explains, in Siena you’re born…then there’s the Palio…and then you die.

Planning a trip to Siena? You can pick...