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: garden visit with English-speaking guide: €15.75; lunch €35, optional castle visit €8.25 (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 Book Club - September 18, 2025

The CCR Book Club's will be discussing their summer reading, "My Father’s House" by Joseph O’Connor, over aperitivo snacks and drinks. This literary thriller is set during World War II in Nazi-occupied Rome, as an Irish priest strives to smuggle the persecuted out of the country.

When: Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Where: Private residence of CCR member -- Flaminio area; exact address sent to confirmed participants by email. Open only to current members of the CCR. 

Potluck: Please let Lucy know what food you'll be bringing.

Further info & RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Lucy. As space is limited, reservation is compulsory.

The Secret Garden Aperitivo - September 11, 2025

Join us for a late summer aperitivo at Le Serre Barberini, in the elegant seventeenth century gardens of Palazzo Barberini. The beautiful glass serre (greenhouses), designed by architect Francesco Azzurri (1827-1901) and completed during the 19th-century reorganization of the gardens, are now open to the public. They overlook the labyrinth garden, with its curious little cork house and the Egyptian granite stele of Amon-Ra, the sun god, originally found at the temple of Isis in Campo Marzio.

When: Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025

Time: 6:00-8:00p.m.

Where: Le Serre Barberini, Via delle Quattro Fontane,13

Cost: €27 for members and €32 for non-members; includes 1 drink per person (choice of a cocktail -- Spritz, Hugo, Negroni, gin  & tonic, gin lemon, vodka tonic, vodka lemon or americano -- or a glass of white or red wine, served with cold cuts and cheese, Forno Serpenti artisan bread, vegetable tabbouleh, pizzette, olives, chips, peanuts, pistachio, and pretzels, along with still and sparkling water. Advance, non-refundable payment is required to confirm your place.

Please note: You will be charged individually for any additional orders beyond the set menu listed above.

RSVP & Proof of Payment: to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marina by close of business on 8 Sept.

Island Dream Aperitivo - June 20, 2025

Let's clink glasses and taste the tropics as we imagine ourselves at a Balinese beach bar! This evening there will also be a traditional dance performance.

When: Friday, June 20, 2025

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Bali Bar, Via del Mattonato 29 (Trastevere)

Cost: €15 for a glass of prosecco or of red or white wine plus a mixed appetizer plate. No host: you will pay the restaurant directly for the menu plus any extras you order.

RSVP to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle by 18 June, 2025.

CCR Book Club - June 19, 2025

At the June meeting, the CCR Book Club is going to discuss "The Safekeep" by Yael van der Woudent over an early evening aperitivo potluck. The Guardian review says "an outsider shatters the quiet domestic life of a lonely young woman in this thrilling debut set in post Nazi-era Netherlands."

When: Thursday, June 19, 2025

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Private residence of CCR member -- Flaminio area; exact address sent to confirmed participants by email. Open only to current members of the CCR. 

Potluck: Please let Lucy know what finger food you'll be bringing.

Further info & RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Lucy. As space is limited, reservation is compulsory.

Summer Garden Reception - May 28, 2025

As the club season approaches the summer, we'll be returning to the beautiful garden of the Official Residence of Canada's Ambassador to the Holy See, Joyce Napier, for a lovely evening reception.

Menu -- waiter service

Cones of fried vegetables

Assorted canapés

Potato, provola cheese and speck bites

Mini meatballs with honey and walnuts

Savoury pastry boats with gratin vegetables 

Vegetarian couscous

Smoked salmon pockets

Assorted brochettes

Fresh fruit skewers

Dessert cups

Prosecco, red and wine wines

Juices, water, tea and coffee

When: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Where: The Official Residence of Canada's Ambassador to the Holy See, Via di Porta San Sebastiano. Exact address and advice on parking will be sent to confirmed participants.

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Price: €50 for current CCR members, €60 non-members

N.B. This event is open to guests only if accompanied by fully paid and registered CCR members.

Security: Mandatory registration of all participants. Please note that due to security requirements we will need the full name of each person attending at the time of booking. Also, you are required to have photo ID on the evening of the event. Anyone not on the guest list will be denied admission.

RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marielle by May 20th, 2025