Divine Wine Outing in Nettuno - April 11, 2026

Feel like a springtime vineyard tour and winery lunch conveniently reached by train from Rome? We're heading to Casa della Divina Providenza in Nettuno to learn about their winemaking tradition, discover local food and wine pairings, meet the winery’s enologist, and enjoy a sumptuous lunch matching the winery's vintages with each serving.

The Casa Divina Provvidenza estate was established in 1821 as a Vatican holding before being acquired by the Cosmi family, who have, for three generations now, focused on the rediscovery of indigenous Lazio region grape varieties.

Lunch menu & wine pairings

Appetizers

Local coldcuts and spiced cheeses paired with the winery's fruit jams

Tomato and pecorino cheese balls

Fried pizza with confit tomato

served with Spumante Maredivino Rosé di Cesanese

Primo

Fresh strozzapreti pasta with sausage and crunchy zucchini on a bed of Parmigiano cream

served with Bianco Cacchione Nettuno DOP

Main Course

Pork filet with red Cesanese wine reduction

Rosemary potatoes

served with Rosso Cesanese

Dessert

Homemade ciambelline (ring cookies) made with red wine

served with Passito Dositheo sweet wine

N.B. A vegetarian option is available!

When: Saturday, April 11, 2026

Meeting Place & Timing: Termini train station in front of platform 12 (inside the gates) at 9:15. Purchase tickets in advance €7.20 return. Train to Nettuno leaves at 9:42. Transportation from Nettuno train station to the vineyard (3 km) included in tour price.

Where: Azienda Agricola Casa Divina Provvidenza, Via Santa Maria 3, Nettuno (RM) 

Cost: €50 for CCR members, €60 non-members. Cost includes local transportation, wine tasting, tour and lunch. Advance payment required.

RSVP & PoP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle by April 6th.

CCR Day Trip: Orvieto - June 1, 2024

Come and discover the enchanting city of Orvieto in Umbria, on a lovely day trip just an hour from Rome. Its rich history saw Etruscans, Romans, Goths and Longobards before becoming a self-governing medieval township within the Papal States. Many of its most beautiful constructions, including the magnificent duomo, date back to this period.

Upon arrival, our English-speaking guide will meet us and accompany the group from the station to the historic centre to visit the famous Santa Maria Cathedral, providing a detailed description of the two levels, its architecture, paintings, mosaics, and bronze statues. Afterwards our guide will take us for a walk and tell us about the history and the architecture of this very picturesque city. Stops will include the gardens of the Fortezza Albornoz and the breathtaking view of the valley.

Those who wish can then have lunch together and explore more afterwards. Our guide will suggest some food and other options.

When: Saturday, June 1, 2024   

Transportation: Participants may drive to Orvieto with their own vehicle or take the one-hour train trip from Termini (about €25 return).

Meeting point and time: for those taking the train, meeting point in front of Termini Platform 14 (inside the gate) at 8:45, to take 9:05 train to Orvieto Scalo. Meeting point in Orvieto with those coming by car at 10:45 in Piazza Matteotti, the small square between railway station and funicular piazza.

Cost: €15 per CCR member, €20 for non-members for the walking tour with a certified guide. Other charges each will need to cover on their own include train or car transportation to Orvieto, funicular (€2.60 return) and bus tickets, any entrance fees, and lunch. Advance payment of the guide cost required.

N.B. Spaces are limited, so book early.

RSVP at canadarome@gmail.com by May 29, 2024.

Day Trip: Culture, Seafood and Gelato by the Sea! - October 1, 2023

We're off to Anzio by the sea, for a visit to its historic museum, a light seafood lunch and then gelato-making at a private seaside home! 

Anzio's museum features both gorgeous artifacts from ancient Roman times and items from the Allied landing at the end of WWII. Seaside restaurant La Vela Latina has proposed a menu of assorted seafood appetizers, tagliolini pasta with seafood, water, wine -- and limoncello to finish. Finally, an expert from a famous local ice-cream parlour will provide a scrumptious lesson in making real Italian gelato.

When: Sunday, October 1, 2023

Where: Anzio Colonia, about 50 km south of Rome. Exact address will be sent to confirmed participants by email.

Transportation and timing: Museum visit starts at 11:00. Those coming by train should take the 9:42 train (final destination Nettuno) from Roma Termini and get off at the Anzio centre stop, where Marielle will meet you. By private car: parking lot available next to Anzio train station but be aware there’s often heavy traffic on the Pontina and Nettunense roads to get there. A limited amount of ground transportation from the museum in Anzio centre to the restaurant in Anzio Colonia will be available for those with mobility issues; others may enjoy the two-km stroll along the seaside to the restaurant.

Cost: €35 members, €40 non-members, including museum, lunch and gelato class. Advance payment required.

N.B. Space is very limited, so book early.

RSVP at canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle.

Outing to Frascati - April 1, 2023

Off we go on a classic Roman scampagnata -- or outing to the nearby countryside. A short train trip away, Frascati is a small city in the Castelli area south of the city. 

After meeting our qualified local English-speaking guide at the station, we'll go on an easy stroll through the historic centre. There will be a coffee break, details on the area's long winemaking vocation, a stop at the Villa Torlonia park, views of Villa Aldobrandini, and a visit to the cathedral and other historic buildings. Our stops will also include a leather goods workshop and a bakery that makes the quirky Pupazza Frascatana honey cookie!

We'll then meet another local Frascati resident to enjoy a leisurely lunch of food specialties paired with the famous Frascati wine!

When: Saturday, April 1st, 2023

Transportation and meeting time: Visit starts at 9:30 at Frascati train station. By train: meet the group at Rome Termini station at 8:40 to take the 8:54 train (final destination Frascati at 9:24 a.m.; €2.10 each way).

Cost: €40 members, €45 non-members, per person including the walking tour, and set lunch in a typical Osteria with a selection of coldcuts and cheeses, pasta, local wine and biscuits. Advance payment is required. Participants must buy their own train tickets or cover their vehicle costs if coming by car.

RSVP to Marielle at canadarome@gmail.com with proof of payment by March 25, 2023.

CCR Day Trip: A New Winery in Old Wine Country - October 17, 2020

Long-time residents of Rome know that the hilly area south of Rome, called I Castelli Romani, has been famous for its wine production for millennia. Although the reputation of its wines waned in the middle of the last century, savvy wine producers have made huge strides in recent years to deliver high-quality vintages that make the most of the incredibly fertile terroir, with its mineral-rich volcanic soils, the added value of nighttime temperature-dropping elevations and sea breezes blowing in from the coast.

One of these new vintners is Stefano Imperatori, who chose this area in 2009 when he decided to leave his day job and pour his heart and soul into a brand new winery designed with a team of experts. They decided to plant some of the international varietals that produce astounding results on Italian soil, but another part of their mission was to recover ancient native vines and apply the best of modern of wine-making techniques. They're even experimenting with the extremely ancient practice of making wine in terracotta amphorae!

Take this opportunity to get out of town, without going too far, to learn about and taste some very fine wines. We'll start with an English-language tour of the winery with Nina, a long-term American expat who obtained her sommelier certification in Italy. Then we'll enjoy a guided tasting of Cantina Imperatori wines on their huge terrace (there's lots of room for physical distancing) with its view of the valley and Rome, followed by a selection of local products, including a cheese and charcuterie board, pizza bianca e rossa, panzanella (bread salad), and ciambelline al vino (biscuits). In case of rain, we'll move inside the winery's very spacious tasting room, adjacent to the terrace.

When: Saturday, October 17, 2020

Time: 11:30 starting with the winery tour (fields, methods, production facilities, cellars, etc.)

Where: Cantina Imperatori, Frascati

Transportation: By car (please carpool if you are comfortable with that). Confirmed/paid participants will be sent more detailed directions.

Cost: €35 for CCR members (€40 for non-members). Advance payment is required.

RSVP to Anna at canadarome@gmail.com by Oct. 15. Please let us know whether you will be seated in a single, couple or household "bubble."

CCR Day Trip: Tarquinia - April 4, 2020

This event has been postponed.
The CCR's spring outing is going back into ancient history! We'll visit the ancient Etruscan necropolis at Tarquinia, with its stunning sculpted and painted tombs. CCR's expert guide will give us an in-depth understanding of this still rather mysterious ancient culture and the cities it built for its dead. The museum in the medieval town of Tarquinia holds some gorgeous artifacts that reveal the beauty of this ancient people.

After diving into Etruscan culture and history, we'll have an opportunity to taste the products of Etruscan descendants as we head to Etruscaia vineyard. We'll visit the winery as well as have lunch in these lovely surroundings! Lunch will include:

a welcome drink on the roof terrace

a selection of other Etruscaia wines to accompany

"Pappa al Pomodoro" (bread, tomato and basil soup)

a pasta dish with a seasonal vegetable

salad

dessert

coffee

When: Saturday, April 4, 2020
Transportation and timing: If you are planning to drive to Tarquinia, could you let us know whether you have extra spot in your vehicle for others? Of course, also let us know if you need a ride and we'll try to match you with a driver.
Cost: CCR members €50 total (i.e. €10 for the guide, €10 for a combo ticket to the Etruscan necropolis in the countryside and the museum in the centre of Tarquinia, and €30 for lunch, wine tasting and vineyard tour); non-CCR adults €55 total. CCR member children €25 total (€10 for the guide and €15 for lunch; museum and necropolis free), €30 for non-member children. Advance payment required.
RSVP to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle.

CCR Day Trip: Orvieto - October 19, 2019

Come and discover the enchanting city of Orvieto in Umbria, whose rich history dates saw Etruscans, Romans, Goths and Longobards before becoming a self-governing medieval township within the Papal States. Most of its most beautiful constructions, including the magnificent duomo, date back to this period. Join us to learn more on a lovely day trip just an hour from Rome.

Upon arrival, our English-speaking guide will meet us and accompany the group to visit the famous Santa Maria Cathedral, providing a detailed description of the two levels, its architecture, artwork, mosaics, and bronze statues. Afterwards our guide will take us for a walk and tell us about the history and the architecture of this very picturesque city before going to visit Saint Patrick's Well with its amazing view of the city and Etruscan ruins. This well was commissioned by Pope Clement VII when he took refuge in Orvieto during the sack of Rome in 1527. Ensuring a supply of water to its citizens all year and in case of prolonged sieges, it is considered a marvel of the architectural genius of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and his collaborators.

By then it will be time to eat! We've reserved at a classic restaurant called Le Grotte del Funaro -- and yes, lunch will be served in real grottoes. The menu includes grilled vegetables, cheese and bruschettas along with a home-made pasta typical of the region called Ombrichelli with a sauce made with seasonal veggies, along with wine and water.

After lunch people may want to take a stroll and go for ice cream. There will be time for those who wish to visit the Etruscan museum on Piazza del Duomo.

When: Saturday, October 19, 2019  
Transportation and timing: Participants may drive to Orvieto with their own vehicle or meet up at Termini to take the 9 o'clock train arriving in Orvieto at 10:14. Our guide will meet us at the station. For those returning by train, there is a convenient one at 5:27 p.m., arriving at 6:54 at Termini.
Cost: €36 per CCR member, €40; includes the guide, entrance fees at the Cathedral and Pozzo and lunch. Advance payment required.
N.B. Numbers are limited, so book early
RSVP at canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle.

CCR Day Trip: Anzio - May 18, 2019

Off we go to seaside Anzio, famous for having been the holiday home of Emperor Nero and for the landing of Allied troops during WWII. Our day out will include visits to the museums of archeology and of the liberation landing, to Nero’s villa and grottoes, and to the ports and beach.

Our gourmet inclinations will be satisfied with tastings at a local wine bar, lunch at a private seaside home, and a gourmet ice-cream stop before heading back to Rome!

Whether you choose to join the group on an easy train ride from Termini station or meet directly in Anzio after coming in your own car, this outing promises to be a real treat.

When: Saturday, May 18, 2019   
Transportation and timing: Visit starts at 9:30 at Anzio train station. By train: meet the group at Rome Termini station to take the 8:12 train (final destination Nettuno; €3.60 each way) for 11 stops to get to Anzio at 9:15; train back to Rome at 5 pm. By private car: parking lot available next to Anzio train station but be aware there’s often heavy traffic on the Pontina and Nettunense roads to get there. Ground transportation within Anzio will be provided.
Cost: €25 members, €30 non-members, includes local transportation in Anzio (but not from Rome), visits to the museums and the imperial villa, wine-tasting, lunch and ice-cream. Advance payment required.
N.B. Numbers are limited, so book early
RSVP at canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle.

The CCR wishes to thank the City of Anzio for providing local transportation, Oenoteca Cose Buone for the wine tasting and L'Arte del Gelato for their delicious ice-cream. Participants may want to leave a small donation at the museums and for our young guides from the Anzio hotel and hospitality school.

CCR Day Trip: The Monasteries of Subiaco - May 12, 2018

Let’s channel "The Name of the Rose" during a very special visit of the monasteries of Subiaco, in the Province of Rome. Come with the CCR on a springtime trip, with guided tour in English, to the Monasteries of St. Scholastica and St. Benedict in this ancient hilltop town.

The religious order founded around 500 AD by St. Benedict grew around a cluster of twelve monasteries. The Monastery of St. Scholastica is the only one of those first twelve to survive, thus making it the oldest Benedictine monastery in the world today. It boasts a lovely Cosmateque cloister, a frescoed church, and a medieval bell tower. The monastery named after the founder of the order, the Monastery of St. Benedict, was built in the XII century over the cave where Benedict had been a hermit for three years. Once again, astounding frescoes cover the walls of monks' cells and chapels, including the earliest known image of St. Francis of Assisi, a living portrait dating to his retreat here in the early 13th century. During its history, the monastery survived floods, earthquakes and the scandalous behaviour of certain monks until its monastic community was reformed in 1363, including the arrival of religious brothers from other parts of Europe. Among these were Germans in the XV century who brought the new art and technology of the printing press, making the Lazio Region the heart of printing in Italy for centuries.

Not only will participants be able to discover the mysterious and sacred areas of the monasteries but they will also admire the recently restored Chapel of the Angels, the Refectory and the magnificent library with unique manuscripts from the medieval era. After our visit which will last approximately 3.5 hours, a lunch will be hosted in the “Foresteria” -- or guesthouse -- of the monastery complex.

When: Saturday, May 12, 2018
Transportation, Meeting Point & Timing: By car (please carpool). Meet in the parking lot of San Benedetto (this is the abbey that is the one further up from Santa Scolastica) by 8:45. Confirmed participants will be sent further information regarding the meeting point.
Cost: for the two visits €15 per person; €20 for lunch for adults, €14 for child menu. Advance payment is required.
NB: Book early as space is limited and remember that you are financially responsible for your booking.
RSVP to Marielle at canadarome@gmail.com, specifying whether you would also like to come to lunch; also, please indicate whether you need help finding a lift or rather have room in your car to offer a lift to others.

CCR Day Trip: Villino Volterra and Garden Tour - April 21, 2018

A day trip exploring a famous town, and some hidden treasures within it, in the hilly "Castelli Romani" area just south of Rome. This day out of town will be perfect for families with children as well.

Here's our plan for the day. At 10:15 Virginia Volterra will take us on a personal tour of the restored Villino Volterra and gardens built between 1904-07 by her grandfather, the famous mathematician, Vito Volterra. After the house and garden tour, at approximately 12:30 lunch will be offered (appetizers, two primi, pizza rustica, porchetta, wine, water). There will be an optional lecture at 2 p.m. in the greenhouse for those who wish to stay on after lunch and hear about Ariccia’s past. Children may play in the yard beside the greenhouse at this time. A further optional tour of the town of Ariccia will follow after the lecture, at  3 p.m., with a guide and admission to Palazzo Chigi and its park.

When: Saturday, April 21, 2018
Transportation, Meeting Point & Timing: by car (please carpool, free parking outside Villino Volterra), arriving by 10 a.m.; by train from the Roma Termini station with Luigi Girolametto departing Termini at 9 a.m. on the Regionale 7349 train, arriving in Albano Laziale at 9:51. The train ride costs €2.10 and those taking the train should meet past the Termini check point, beside the first car of the train 10 minutes prior to departure
Cost: tour of Villino Volterra and lunch only -- €25 for CCR members, €30 for non-member guests, children under 5 free, children 5-12 €12.50; tour of Villino Volterra, lunch and lecture on Ariccia (as seen through the eyes of famous authors) -- €30 CCR members, €35 non-members; all of the above plus a walking tour of Ariccia, the piazza by Bernini, and the Palazzo Chigi and its park -- €35 for CCR members, €40 for non-members. Advance payment is required.
NB: Book early as space is limited and remember that you are financially responsible for your booking.
RSVP to Luigi at lgirolametto@gmail.com, specifying whether you would like to participate in the second and third components of the day.

Culture, Wine, Food and Music in the Italian countryside - May 20, 2017

May is turning out to be a great month for CCR activities! We have another day trip organized for members and guests and it will touch on everything that we love about Italy. 

First, culture. The day begins with a guided tour of the beautiful medieval frescoes in the crypt of the Romanesque cathedral of Santa Maria (1072-1104) in the medieval hill town of Anagni, located about 50 km south of Rome. The walls and vaults of the crypt are completely covered with brightly coloured frescoes considered some of the best works of Romanesque/Byzantine art in Italy. Painted in 1237, they form one of the most extensive and best-preserved medieval pictorial cycles in Europe.

Next, wine. From Anagni we drive to the nearby Azienda Agricola Coletti Conti for a tasting of Cesanese wines. The owner Anton Maria Coletti Conti is widely considered to be one of the greatest producers of Cesanese del Piglio, the only DOCG wine in Lazio. Cesanese, with is bright fruit characters and earthy overtones, is considered by many to be one of Lazio's most interesting grape varieties -- and, for the most part, not yet well-known beyond circles of wine enthusiasts.

And then, food and music. We will be treated to a home cooked ‘pranzo al fresco’ hosted by members Evelyn Beller and Blando Palmieri on the terrace of their country cottage in their small vineyard in the countryside outside of Paliano. A time to relax, chat, eat and at the end of the meal enjoy traditional accordion music by a young local musician.

A very special thanks to our friends and CCR members Evelyn Beller and Blando Palmieri who generously organized this outing. In addition Evelyn and Blando are cooking the meal and offering their wine (vino di casa) on behalf of our charity Project Rome.

When: Saturday, May 20, 2017
Transportation, Meeting Point and Time: 9.30 a.m. in Piazza Papa Innocenzo III, Anagni FR. We will meet at ‘Bar del Duomo’ in the piazza for coffee. The guided tour of the crypt in the Santa Maria Cathedral starts promptly at 10.00 a.m. Instructions on where to park will be sent to participants.
Car Pooling: Please let us know if you can offer a ride in your car. We will help organize car pools so that those without vehicles can enjoy this day outing
Cost: €10 for the guided tour of the crypt (members and non-members). The price may vary slightly (higher or lower) depending on the number of participants. We are also asking members to donate on a voluntary basis to Project Rome, CCR’s 2016-17 charity. Non-members may only participate in this exceptional outing and meal with a donation of at least €15, which we will collect on the day of our outing. CCR supports Project Rome's efforts to provide fresh, hot meals to those most in need as well as clothes, shoes, bags and bedding to Rome's poor and disadvantage.
NB: Book early as space is limited and remember that you are financially responsible for your participation.
RSVP to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Linda by Thu. May 18.

Into the Enchanted Garden: Ninfa & More - May 6, 2017

You won't want to miss the exceptional day trip the CCR has organized to visit an enchanting garden and historic sites south of Rome on Saturday, May 6th, an ideal month to see the floral splendour of nature. Ninfa -- the New York Times has called it one of the prettiest and most romantic gardens in the world, the BBC included it in a "garden grand tour" of Italy, and Gucci featured it in an Edenic advertisement.

This will be a very special day out of town for both members and non-members. An oasis of beauty, restored by the Caetani family and several mecenes, the famed Ninfa Garden boasts an unsurpassed variety of flora. Plants here are not culivated unless necessary, which contributes to the garden's sense of freedom and magic. We will spend the morning walking and admiring horticultural marvels imported from all over the world. Fountains and ruins dating back to medieval times also abound, making for fabulous photo opportunities!

After visiting the garden with an English-speaking guide, we'll have a private transfer to the nearby hilltop town of Sermoneta, where we'll sit down to a delicious lunch in a beautiful setting at Locanda Bonifacio VIII restaurant (see menu below). Then there'll be an optional visit to the Caetani family's huge medieval castle to learn of its rich history.

Book soon as the group size is limited and this excursion is on everyone's list!

Many thanks to our friends and CCR members Carol Yaple and Richard Klasa who live nearby and have been so invaluable and generous in the organization of this wonderful outing.

Lunch menu

large and varied antipasto selection (vegetarian and meat)

a choice of primo: either strozzapreti with porcini (vegetarian) or ravioli di brasato (meat)

traditional sweets (dolcetti secchi and crostate)

water

local wine (red and white)

coffee

When: Saturday, May 6, 2017
Transportation, Meeting Point & Time: 9.30 a.m. at Latina Scalo train station (Sermoneta/north side); NB do NOT get off at the earlier Cisterna di Latina stop. Participants coming by train are asked to take the Regionale 12211 that leaves Termini at 8:36 and arrives in Latina at 9:25; this train costs €4. Participants coming by car can leave their vehicle at the train station (NORTH/Sermoneta side of the station, which has a large, free parking lot). (If returning to Rome by train, there are runs at 15:38, 16:38 and 17:38 for €4 as well as ones at 15:00, 15:28 and 17:00, which are Intercity and cost €9.) To avoid parking problems, a shuttle will take us from the train station to the garden and then to the town centre and restaurant and finally back to the train station. 
Timing: meeting at Latina Scalo and shuttle transfer to garden 9:30; Ninfa Garden visit 10:30 a.m. (ending 11:45/12); 1 p.m. lunch; 3 p.m. optional visit of Caetani Castle or free time to wander; 4/4:15 shuttle from Sermoneta centre back to train station parking lot.
Cost: garden visit with English speaking guide: €10 CCR members, €15 non-members; lunch €23 members, €25 non-members; other costs are train or other transportation (depending on individual choices) and optional castle visit (€12 adults, free for children).
NB: Book early as space is limited and remember that you are financially responsible for your participation.
RSVP to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle by May 1st, specifying whether you would like to participate in the lunch and castle visit in addition to the garden tour.

CCR Book Club: Siena Excursion - April 30, 2016

At the end of April the CCR Book Club will be going on an exceptional day trip to Siena. Our special guide will be Laura Forconi, former manager of the Canadian Studies Centre at the University of Siena (now closed). We'll do some sightseeing, have a delicious lunch, and, in the afternoon, discuss "The Cat's Table" by famed Canadian author Michael Ondaatje. 

When: Saturday, Apr. 30, 2016
Timing: 8 a.m. coach bus departure from the Bus Terminal next to Tiburtina Railway Station. The return bus leaves Siena (Piazza Gramsci, same as arrival point) at 8 p.m.
Costs: Bus tickets are sold by Baltour online at a considerable discount if purchased 1 month in advance of departure date. Each participant must buy their own ticket.
NOTE: Some may choose to stay in Siena overnight. Please make these arrangements on your own.
Further info & RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Nicoletta Barbarito.