Outing to Ninfa Gardens & Sermoneta - September 27, 2025

The CCR is organizing a visit to the enchanting and historic Ninfa Garden south of Rome. 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.

A private shuttle (compliments of CCR member Richard Klasa) will take us from our meeting point at Latina train station to the Ninfa gardens, where we will visit the site with an English-speaking guide. Then we'll head up to the hill-top town of Sermoneta for lunch, followed by an optional visit to the Caetani family's huge medieval castle.

Lunch menu

large and varied antipasto selection with coldcuts, cheeses, mozzarella di bufala, and more 

strozzapreti pasta with a ragù of sausage, almond slivers & salted ricotta (a secondo will be available for those who prefer it to the primo)

traditional sweets

water, wine, coffee

VEGETARIAN option available (and alternatives for allergies specified in advance)

When: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
Train schedule: we can  send you details upon request (tickets €8.20)
Meeting Point & Time: 9:20 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 car can leave their vehicle at the train station (NORTH/Sermoneta side of the station, which has a large, free parking lot). 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. 
Cost: gardens+lunch €51, gardens+lunch+castle €60 (castle free for children).
NB: Book early as space is limited. You are financially responsible for your participation.
RSVP and payment to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle by Sept. 22, specifying whether you would like to participate in the lunch and castle visit in addition to the garden tour.

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.

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.