The family bike tour of Apulia
Discovery of the Apulia region by bike.
Highlights
The strong cultural heritage of the region
Warm climate even in winter
The traditional Italian food
The breathtaking towns of Lecce, Gallipoli and Galatone
The Mediterranean coastal landscapes
The way of life in Apulia
An unforgettable stay in southern Italy.
Discover the Italian "heel of the boot" and its cultural heritage, gastronomy and Mediterranean landscapes.
This cycling trip in the heart of Apulia is designed for families. Its format with short daily steps allows children to fully enjoy the Salento peninsula (also called “the heel of the boot” of Italy) and its breathtaking landscapes.
During these steps, you will go back in time and discover the many remains that testify to the civilizations that lived in the region, from the Messapi to the Greeks, included the Romans. You will stay in the city of Lecce which has a Roman amphitheater dating back to Antiquity, the castle of Charles V and the entrance gates to the historic center: Porta Napoli, Porta Rudiae and Porta San. Furthermore, the city of Gallipoli with its historical center and its fishing port. You will travel in the Salentine Greece through its different municipalities and their historical centers that will charm you.
This region also distinguishes itself through its gastronomy; young and old alike will enjoy the traditional Apulian gastronomy. This kind of food blends with the beauty of the landscapes and the character of the towns in Apulia to create a typical Mediterranean setting.
This region is suitable for all levels of cyclists and cycling is very pleasant. You travel in an almost flat area and the breaks allow you to enjoy the landscapes with your family. Surely, this cycling trip in Puglia will be a great experience.
Leisure From LECCE to MARTANO 26km 
You start your day’s itinerary with a first stop at Cavallino, where you visit an open-air museum on Messapian civilization. You then continue your journey to Calimera, where you’ll discover the region’s characteristic flora and fauna. Finally, you arrive in Martano, the capital of “Salentine Greece”.
MARTANO 23km
The “Grecìa Salentina” is a small region of 9 municipalities where a derivative of Greek is still spoken. Visit some of these small towns: Zollino, Sternatia, Martignano and discover their historic centers and gastronomic specialties, such as sceblasti, a soft bread seasoned with tomatoes, zucchini, onions and peppers.
From MARTANO to GALATONE 35km
You reach Castrignano de Greci where you come across the “pozelle”, an ancient public rainwater collection system. You continue gently towards Corigliano D’Otranto, from where you can admire its majestic castle. You can visit the castle before continuing on to an organic farm near Cutrofiano, where cheese and honey producers work.
GALATONE 30km
Start the day picking vegetables in the farm’s kitchen garden or take a cooking class with Anna, who will welcome you to her large country house with swimming pool to relax before or after lunch. Learn how to make orecchiette (the local ear-shaped pasta) and pitta di patate, a potato-based pizza. Then you head to Galatina. Stop to admire the Church of Santa Caterina, whose walls are entirely covered with frescoes by Giotto.
From GALATONE to GALLIPOLI 25km
You continue your journey through the typical Salento countryside, among olive groves and “paraje” (typical dry-stone buildings). In Galatone, if you feel like it, you can visit Fulcignano Castle, and in Alezio, the Museum of Messapian Civilization.
GALLIPOLI 28km
After a short bike ride along the coast, you arrive at the Porto Selvaggio nature park, a wooded area of over 1000 hectares close to the sea. You can then take advantage of the sea to swim and relax with your family on the last day of your trip.
GALLIPOLI
After breakfast, a shuttle bus will take you to Lecce.
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 754€/adult in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Quote on request | Contact us
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Quote on request | Contact us
Price includes
- Accommodation: 7 nights in a Double ou Family 4 participants room
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 24/7
- Application fee
- The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
- An app to follow the itinerary step by step
- Topo maps
- Cycling practical guide
- Day 1 : A personalised welcome in French or English (subject to availability) with our team on arrival at the departure town to get you settled in and hand over all your travel documents.
- Day 8 : Private shuttle - GALLIPOLI - LECCE
Price does not include
- bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
- Taxes
A “homemade” stay made by a local partner, specialist in cycling holidays in Puglia:
- Routes picked with the Abicyclette team for their tourist & cycling interests, fully marked, removed from trafic
- Accommodation offered for the quality of their welcome, atmosphere, services and gastronomy
- A great flexibility of organization which adapts to your needs and desires: you leave on the date of your choice! We check accomodation availability to ensure your departure.
Local support :
- A personalized reception on the first day of your trip by a local guide that will provide you the travel documents (reception in English)
- Telephone assistance from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Luggage transfer service
A simplified route tracking:
- A road book to find all useful addresses, recommended restaurants and tourist information, maps and a description of the circuit.
- An application to follow the route without ever having to look for directions (bike mount provided)
- (for an optional fee): rental of a GPS to ease tracking without using your smartphone.
And also:
- Rental of technical and comfortable bikes, ideal for this varied route combining roads and paths.
- The possibility of taking out a cancellation & multi-risk insurance covering you in the event of a problem or unforeseen event
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Our rentals include a "breakage and theft guarantee" for peace of mind when travelling. Information and details from your advisor.
Trekking bikeMansteel frame, 24 speed, Wheels 28”, tires 700*35, Suspension Fork. Women model available. Supplied equipment per bike
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Electric BikeAluminium frame, Wheels 28”, Suspension Fork, 10 speed dual clutch transmission. Engine Yamaha, battery 500Wh, autonomy 80-130KM. Supplied equipment per bike
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Getting here
Departure city : LECCE
Coming by car
- at more than 16h from PARIS
- at more than 16h from AMSTERDAM
- at 10h from MILAN
Coming by train
- Lecce Railway Station - More than 12h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Brindisi Airport
Arrival city : LECCE
Coming by car
- at more than 16h from PARIS
- at more than 16h from AMSTERDAM
- at 10h from MILAN
Coming by train
- Lecce Railway Station - More than 12h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Brindisi Airport
*Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
- 18 to 30-speed transmission
- 26- to 29-inch wheels
- Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
- Disc brakes recommended
- 2 bottle cages
- Bell
- Front and rear lighting
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
- 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
- Suitable cycling clothing:
- bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
- Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
- Breathable windbreaker
- Thermal or fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
- 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
- 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
- Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
- Padded bib (chamois)
- High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
- Neck warmer and cap
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads
Other
- A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
- Street clothes
- 1 pair of evening shoes
- Fleece jacket for the evening
- Toiletry bag
- Telephone and charger
Terms of payment and cancellation
The full terms and conditions of sale are available here: https://www.abicyclette-voyages.com/conditions-generales-de-vente/
Booking and payment
- Departure more than 30 days before your booking: payment of a deposit of 30%, excluding insurance, at the time of booking. If you have taken out travel insurance, it must be paid in full at the time of booking to guarantee its validity.
- Departure within 30 days of your booking: payment of the total cost of your stay. Or payment of the balance of the holiday if you have already paid a deposit.
Cancellation of the Contract
You may cancel the Contract at any time before the start of the Tour, subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Any total or partial cancellation will incur the following costs per participant:
| Cancellation period | Fees |
| From the date of Booking to 60 days or more before departure or the 1st day of the programme | 5% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 100 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Between 59 and 30 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 10% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 120 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer
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| Between 29 and 10 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 30% of the total amount of the Tour (including options) a minimum of 150 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Entre 9 à 7 jours avant le départ ou le 1er jour du programme | 45% du montant total du Voyage (options incluses) |
| Between 9 and 7 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 75% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| Less than 3 days to the day of departure or the 1st day of the programme | 100% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| No show on day of departure or 1st day of programme |
Duration 8 days and 7 nights
Level Leisure
Departure date From February 28th to December 27th
Destination Italy
2 adults and 2 children in a family room.
Free for children from 0 to 2 years old (baby bed added in room)
Personalized service 
Fit
LECCE
Arrive to Lecce on your own, a beautiful city in the Apulia region.
Meeting with our local guide
Before your first ride, meet our local guide at your departure point. This is the perfect time to catch up on the latest practical advice, find out about the addresses and experiences you shouldn’t miss, answer any questions you may have, make the final adjustments to your bike and get your trip off to the best possible start.