With the Travers Stakes this weekend, many will travel to Saratoga, a town lying in the foothills of the southern Adirondack Mountain region of upstate New York.

Generally, August isn’t the best time of year to visit Italy. Stores and restaurants are closed, while more than half the country’s population goes on holiday. The tourist crowds are oppressive. And it’s hot. Really hot. But twice a year, on July 2 and August 16th, the wonderful people of Siena host a fantastic event: the Palio.