An affluent and older community, Asti clings strongly to the sense of tradition and community that represented the Italy of the early 20th century. Known as the capital of Italy’s sparkling wine industry, and the most famous producer of spumante. it is also home to an antique Palio horserace, as well as a respectable number of churches and cathedrals. In September every year, as it gears up for the famous horserace, Palio, Asti hosts street banquets and a medieval market. On the day of the race itself, the third Sunday in September, there's a thousand-strong procession of citizens dressed as their fourteenth-century ancestors, before the frenetic bare-backed horse race around the arena of the Campo del Palio.

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Excursion Descriptions and Map