The historic spa town of Caramanico Terme is stunningly situated on the lower flanks of Monte Amaro, at the edge of the Majella National Park, above the mouth of the dramatic Orfento Gorge. The old town stretches steeply down a narrow spur with charming stepped alleys and narrow streets, while the newer part of town includes an extensive establishment of thermal baths. Caramanico’s Visitors Centre has an interesting little museum containing information (in Italian) on the archaeology, culture and natural history of the Majella, and there is also an Otter Breeding Sanctuary which offers late evening tours several times a week. The town has a range of bars and restaurants, shops including several selling traditional specialities of food, wine, liqueurs and ceramics, a public outdoor swimming pool, and a very small street market on Thursdays.
Caramanico will be your base if you choose an Original Car-Free Escape, whilst if you book any other Escape you may choose to stay either in Caramanico or in the delightful rural village of Decontra.
The tiny village of Decontra is situated in an area of upland meadow on the lip of the mighty Orfento Gorge, and has magnificent views. The stone of the simple buildings was hand-quarried and shaped by the locals over the long, cold winters, and in the evening light it glows with a golden hue. The village has only been connected to the outside world since the 1970's - until then it had no electricity, and no road. Today, the village has around 80 inhabitants, both young and old. The elders still work the land and vegetable gardens, graze their flocks, gather their winter fuel from the high mountain woodlands, and congregate on summer evenings by the village fountains. The young resign themselves to a long commute to school and work, but without complaint: they love the village and would rather be there than anywhere else. Although Decontra has no shops, it is visited regularly by mobile suppliers, vans that announce their arrival with a cheery toot and a blast of creaking accordion music. They bring bread, fruit and vegetables, and cured meats and cheeses. The excellent village restaurant "Il Cervo" also has a bar.
