Christmas is approaching and for the families of young and old Cyclanders, the usual question begins to surface: "Where to go cycling for the Christmas holidays with your little ones?"

Building a mini bike vacation without boring the kids is not easy. As always, the goal is to please both young and old, because after all, Christmas is for everyone. So here are 5 bike-friendly cities that also offer Christmas themed arrangements, for the happiness of those who want to meet Santa Claus. For real.

Ravenna

Among the most bike friendly cities in Italy, whose historic center, a UNESCO heritage site, is a large pedestrian area closed to traffic, Ravenna in December turns into a Christmas village with a taste of Romagna. The central Piazza del Popolo dresses up for the holidays and around the large Christmas tree the Capanni gather, perfect for a snack, among decorations and colored lights, based on delicious local products. Santa Claus will also be wandering around the markets, ready to receive the letters from all the children.

To experience a green Christmas with the whole family, leave from Marina Romea by bike and reach Ravenna cycling through the large pine forests of the coast and the suspended landscapes of the Comacchio Valleys.

Desenzano del Garda

Passionate cyclists know: the Garda area never disappoints. Kilometers and kilometers of flat cycle paths and the beauty of crossing more or less large villages, unique in their kind. And Desenzano is one of these; to pay homage to Christmas, this year again it organizes Christmas Time: a series of events, in addition to markets, ice rink and the inevitable Santa Lucia for children that will make you never want to go home!

Alberobello

The Itria Valley, in Puglia, is one of the destinations to visit at least once in a lifetime at Christmas. Here the villages themselves turn into life-size nativity scenes and for children finding themselves among the illuminated trulli is a real fairy tale experience. In addition, from early December to January 6, in the Aia Piccola district, the oldest in Alberobello, the Living Nativity is held, a unique event that, through a historical re-enactment detailed to the smallest detail and over 200 extras, tells the story of the nativity: a journey back in time for both young and old.

If your thirst for discovery and wonder should push you beyond the magic of Alberobello, on your bike you can start with the whole family for an easy bike tour that will take you all the way to Ostuni, the white city, animated at this time by traditional markets and the departure, on December 22, of Santa Claus, not pulled by reindeer, but on a boat!

Matera

In another article we already talked about the must-see places in Matera to visit with children. Now imagine the same places wrapped in the Christmas atmosphere, to the warm color of the Sassi area made even more magical by the Christmas lights and you're done: Matera is another of those destinations that are worth visiting during this period.

Again, you can take a short green trip with your children for a five-day bike itinerary that will take you from the Sassi of Matera to the discovery of the Murgia, passing through Altamura and Gravina in Puglia, both dressed up with the beautiful lights of the Puglia tradition, and then return to Matera.

Valencia

When it comes to traditions there's no doubt, the Spaniards are serious! Throughout the Christmas period the city of Valencia lights up and is adorned with decorations capable of bringing joy to the hearts of all, from the oldest to the youngest, but the most fun festival is definitely the one celebrated on December 28, namely the day of Los Santos Innocentes (the day of the Holy Innocents), a sort of April Fools, where innocent jokes are the masters: the most typical one, for which children go crazy, consists in sticking a figure of paper cut and colored on the backs of loved ones.

To experience the magic of Christmas, but with a springtime climate, give yourself and your children a long weekend in Valencia where, in addition to colored lights and traditions, you can take advantage of easy routes between city, sea and lagoon discovering this bike friendly city and its fascinating surroundings.

Do you want to go for a winter bike trip suitable for the whole family? Schedule a free 30-minute call with our cycle tourism experts: we will help you plan your ideal vacation! Or discover our family itineraries at the link below.