The Majella
In the heart of Italy’s spectacular and little known region of Abruzzo, the beautiful Majella National Park encircles the mountain massif of Monte Amaro, which at 2793m, is the second highest peak in the Apennine range. Alpine meadows and forests of beech give way at the massif’s highest reaches to an almost desert landscape, with pockets of year-round snow. Mountain streams tumble down deep gorges and hidden valleys, where secluded rock hermitages from the Middle Ages can be found. The Park is home to deer, chamois, wild boar, wolves, otters, and a very small number of bears. The region’s agriculture is traditionally pastoral: large flocks of sheep used to arrive in June, having travelled in search of summer pastures from the lowlands of Puglia, where they would return in October. The hillsides are still grazed by local flocks, and you will find ancient beehive-shaped stone huts (tholos) still sheltering shepherds today.
| Dates: | 14 June - 21 June 2008 26 July - 02 August 2008 |
| Prices per person – land only: | £675.00 (sharing twin room with another) £45.00 single room supplement |
Price includes group airport transfers* and transportation, accommodation, all breakfasts & packed-lunches, 2 dinners, all organised and self-guided walks, the services of the Upland Manager(s). * see designated flight details below |
|
| Group Departure prices are based on two people sharing a twin room. If you are a single traveller willing to occupy a non-smoking twin-share room with another traveller of the same gender, please indicate this on the booking form. If you would rather receive a room for single occupancy, this can be arranged on request (subject to availability) and the single room supplement rate will apply. | |
|---|---|
Designated Flight and Airport Transfers
On Group Departures, Upland Escapes 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 Group Departures to the Majella are:
| Outbound: | Ryanair FR982 | London Stansted | Pescara | 13.25 – 16.50 |
| Return: | Ryanair FR983 | Pescara | London Stansted | 17.15 – 18.55 |
NB - Please note that flight times are subject to change, so please check with the airline or with Upland Escapes prior to making your travel arrangements.
For those wishing to make their own way to the Pescara airport pick-up point or directly to Caramanico Terme, please contact Upland Escapes if you would like travel suggestions
Itinerary
Day 1 – Saturday Transfer from Pescara airport, followed by a welcome dinner.
Day 2 – Sunday 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 – Monday 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 – Tuesday 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 – Wednesday 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 – Thursday 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 (10.3 miles, ↑↓ 1050m). Or enjoy another self-guided walk, maybe across the gorge to Decontra.
Day 7 – Friday Today visit the beautiful medieval town of Sulmona, with its 8thC cathedral, immense piazza and countless sugared-almond shops. Tonight join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner at one of the best restaurants in the region.
Day 8 – Saturday Transfer back to Pescara airport.
