While most of our Escapes include a hire car to allow you to explore the region fully, you may prefer a holiday without the need to drive. On a 7-night
Original Car-Free scheduled departure in the Majella, we replace your hire car with designated airport transfers and some local group transfers too. We stay in the charming and historic town of Caramanico Terme, with activities and visits within walking distance of your accommodation, such as the outdoor pool, spa treatments, visitors centre, churches and museums, and otter sanctuary.
Many of our favourite walks can be enjoyed on a Car-Free holiday in the Majella, although the range of walks and activities available is inevitably not as broad as if you had your own hire-car to explore independently, so if you are keen to experience a particular walk or visit, please check whether this will be possible at time of booking.
Day 1 – Sunday Transfer from Rome Ciampino airport
Day 2 – Monday Join an organised walk to visit a castle, a hermitage and a magnificent abbey church (6 miles, ↑↓ 420m). Or head out on a self-guided walk – a stroll into the Orfento Gorge, perhaps.
Day 3 – Tuesday Take a self-guided walk across a fertile plateau to the medieval sanctuary of San Bartolomeo (7.5 miles, ↑ 360m / ↓ 590m). Or relax in Caramanico, and maybe pamper yourself in the town’s spa.
Day 4 – Wednesday Join an organised walk into the dramatic upper reaches of the Orfento Gorge, close to chasms cut by rushing water, and crossing grassy slopes (10.1 miles, ↑↓ 675m). Or choose a self-guided walk into the hills above Caramanico.
Day 5 – Thursday Take a gentle self-guided walk to the extraordinary water-carved rocks of the River Orta, where there is time to explore and picnic (3 miles, ↑↓ 210m). Or explore Caramanico’s narrow alleys - and shops!
Day 6 – Friday Your last organised walk can take you from the fascinating village of Roccacaramanico right to the summit of Monte Morrone at 2,061m, with magnificent views (9.6 miles, ↑↓ 1050m). Or enjoy another self-guided walk, maybe across the gorge to Decontra.
Day 7 – Saturday Today enjoy a final day of self-guided walking, on the beautiful meadow flanks of Monte Amaro, or choose an alternative walk from the door of your hotel, to paddle in the Orfento or to picnic on a hilltop perhaps.
Day 8 – Sunday Transfer back to Rome Ciampino airport.
We stay for 7 nights at the 3-star Hotel Pescofalcone in Caramanico Terme, on a quiet street 3 minutes walk from the town’s central piazza, and shops, restaurants and cafes. The attractive en-suite rooms have all been recently refurbished and on the ground floor there is comfortable seating surrounding an open fireplace. Franco Parone and his wife Lella are wonderful hosts, always helpful and enthusiastic about their home town and mountains.
On Original Car-Free Escapes, we will provide airport transfers to coincide with a designated flight arrival and departure. Those wishing to travel on different flights should meet at the airport at the ETA of the designated flight to join the transfer or alternatively a private transfer can be arranged at additional cost. On the last day of the tour, the transfer will arrive at the airport some 2 hours before the departure of the designated flight.
The designated flight details for Original Car-Free Escapes to the Majella are:
| Outbound: | Ryanair FR3004 | London Stansted | Rome Ciampino | 14.00 - 17.25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return: | Ryanair FR3003 | Rome Ciampino | London Stansted | 17.50 - 19.30 |
NB - Please note that flight times are subject to change, so please check with us that this information is still accurate prior to making your travel arrangements.
For those wishing to make their own way to the Rome Ciampino airport pick-up point or directly to Caramanico Terme, please contact Upland Escapes if you would like travel suggestions.
