bvlenci

Yes, it's a wonderful garden, but not easy to visit. I even bought some plants there, perennial salvia that are blooming this minute on my terrace.

If you go there, I suggest you also visit the nearby town of Sermoneta, one of the prettiest towns in Italy. There's a very nice castle in Sermoneta, too.

If you do that, I would skip Orvieto. Pick up the car at Ciampino airport, and visit Ninfa and Sermoneta instead of Orvieto. Maybe spend the night in that area. Then head to Spello from there.

Dayle

Ah, so the bus tours include Sermoneta which is why they are all day affairs. The only advantage I can see in the bus tours would be that they can be scheduled nearly any day. I find it odd that the Garden allows groups to visit by prearrangement nearly any day, but general public is so limited. Am I misunderstanding?

I don't know if I can give up Orvieto. I didn't get to see the inside of the duomo on my first visit. I was very sick and stayed in bed for some extra sleep while my friends went for the fresco viewing hours. It remains one of my most favorite towns after 4 Italy trips! Would it be too difficult to use public trans to get down to Ninfa Gardens on the May 1 holiday? I'm assuming it would be very crowded with limited trains?

Great that you have some plants from the garden. I like many types of salvia myself. There is one type that I buy every spring and plant for the hummingbirds. They love it and it smells like sage. It has very small hot pink orchid-like flowers on long slender stalks. It will not survive winter at my altitude, but grows like crazy during the warm months.

Dayle

bvlenci, I also certainly don't expect you to keep track of my evolving itinerary! I've got Bologna - Orvieto - Rome (8 nts) - Spello, then on to Le Marche, so I don't think getting a car for Ninfa will work.....I think I will have time for a day trip out of Rome. How to make it work.....

zebec

Dayle, Ninfa's rules and norms are um, unique for sure. Prior to our visit, we were told again and again in their emails that there were strict guidelines (no free wanderings; tours led by guide only--no exceptions) and unbendable timelines.
Then on the day of our visit, we arrived to see who appeared to be a a Brit aristocrat visitor and his adult son, freely strolling the grounds as though they owned the place. Unaccompanied. Guess the rules didn't apply to the 1%! *Or those who join the 'Friends of Ninfa' organization....
Whatever, you'll love it no matter what. Agree with BV about Sermonetta.

I am done. The end.

bvlenci

Well, the princely Caetani family, who owned the gardens until 1977, (and also the castle of Sermoneta) were very intermarried wiith the British aristocracy. The last member of the family died without heirs, but left it to a foundation. The aristocrat you saw may have special privileges because of a relationship with the Caetani.

Dayle, where did you see that groups could visit by prearrangement on practically any day? We went on a bus trip with a group from our local adult school. but we had to go on a regular opening day.

In April, you can expect the gardens to be open on Easter Sunday and Monday, on the 25th (Festa della Liberazione) and on the following Sunday, which I think is the 26th.

Apart from the normal visits, there are half a dozen visits for a literary group associated with the gardens. You can also buy a season ticket of four visits, for a limited number of visitors. Finally, there are a few "extraordinary visits" which are combined with restaurant meals and tours of nearby towns and archaeological sites. Each of these has a different theme. All of these special visits come to about 12 days a year, at times when the gardens are not normally open.

If you don't want to rent a car for the trip, I think the bus tour is really your only option. There is a very small train station, Latina, about 8 km from the garden, where you might be able to get a taxi. but I wouldn't want to count on it. Also, it would be a shame to mis Sermoneta. which also isn't served by train or bus.

bvlenci

Dayle; most of the red or pink Salvia are annuals. Mine are perennials, which are tall and blue. They bloom most of the summer.

I only bought a few plants, because I had to take them back on the bus. Two of them died in this summer's heat wave. Or at least they appear to be dead; maybe they'll return next year.

Dayle

Thank you very much for the detailed information bvlenci. I will be in Rome on 25/04/2020 and 26/04/2020 so that increases my chances!

I may have misunderstood the website. From what it said, I gathered groups could reserve any time. They didn't specifically say anytime on regular open days. I will look again at the bus tours. I did one out of Paris to Giverny long ago that was very good. Tour guide knowledgeable and just helpful enough. It was a simple tour, just bus trans, commentary along the drive and scheduled return time.

I looked at options for "membership" type tours, but didn't see anything that would be practical. The "seasonal" tours gave specific dates, one during each season, but no others so I thought that was very limited and clearly not for travelers.

If Sermoneta is worth visiting, then the bus tour might not be bad, but they sure get poor reviews! I'll keep looking.

bvlenci

Dayle, have a look at this shuttle tour. It picks you up from the station of Latina and ferries you to Ninfa, in time for the English language tour of the garden. Then, it ferries you to Sermoneta. You can choose between two departure times from Sermoneta, and are taken back to Latina station.

VISIT THE GARDEN OF NINFA - SHUTTLEBUS

Dayle

Thank you so much bvlenci! This looks like it might be perfect. They do not have any dates scheduled for 2020 yet, but I will keep watch!
Have you toured the castello in Sermoneta? If this group only tours in Italian, would there be an English paper guide to read to follow along? I'm getting ahead of myself!

I was looking on line at Camerino. The earthquake was so devastating. Very sad and difficult for the residents.

zebec - thank you for your input. Multiple opinions are so helpful!

bvlenci

Ninfa has always been open on the 25th, a big national holiday.

Yes, our group took the guided tour of the Caetani castle in Italian. I don't know if they had a script in English.

Dayle

Sorry to update with the sad fact that I have cancelled my "big trip". One of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, but since I fall into the high risk category my doctor strongly advises that I not travel for several months at least. I just finished cancelling lodging and cars. Hoping for refunds from 3 that have a no cancellation policy. Next I have to hope Delta accepts my doctor's letter that I cannot travel, then figure out Italo's refund policy. Based on the responses I get, then I deal with the trip insurance people. Very depressing day.

Planning to reschedule an abbreviated trip for 2021.

I know many have been struggling with this decision, so wishing everyone the best with whatever you need to do!

progol

Dayle,
Oh, I’m so sorry. I know how hard this decision is to make. It sounds like you made the right choice, though. With so much uncertainty, and the likelihood of continued flight cancellations and tourist site closures, never mind risk factors, it sure does seem like it was the only real option.

Having canceled our China trip, I am also now more than a little anxious over the “Plan B” trip to Spain and Portugal. The exponential rate of growth of the number of cases of CV is worrisome.

Paule

Dayle

Yes, sorry you had to cancel your plans too Progol. If I was not in the high risk group, I would still go. But then again, why go when so much is/can be closed? The good news is I have already received kind replies from several of my reserved lodging and all but the Sheraton Malpensa are giving full refunds. The Sheraton won't consider a refund until the end of March, given that my booking was for 5/26/2020 and was a "no cancellation" booking. This one might depend on the status of Delta's flights out of Malpensa. We will see.....

TDudette

So sorry Dayle (and progol!). Here's to refunds and re-scheduling.

progol

Good luck with the cancellations, refunds and rescheduling. How nice that most folks were so relaxed with refunding the no cancellation reservations. Those are the places I’d be happy to support in the future.

Still planning Spain and Portugal, but will keep an eye on things in Spain for the next couple of weeks.

A very weird and scary time.

Leely2

Dayle, I am sorry.

kja

Oh, Dayle, I am sorry -- but from everything you've said, I think you've made a wise decision. Know that I'm rooting for you to find an alternative plan and way to celebrate retirement that holds both planned and unexpected sources of joy.

thursdaysd

So sorry! But great that the refunds worked out.

Since I am both old(er) and immuno-compromised I am not planning any travel at present. I'm even wondering whether or not I should go to tomorrow night's ballet performance... I got really horrible flu at a performance a couple of years back (but that was a matinee with a lot of kids.)

Dayle

Thank you Leely and Kja for your sympathy. It was not a fun day getting everything cancelled. I do plan to take a vacation since I havent done anything fun since I retired. Thinking a camping trip with an RV rental. No crowds, own cooking, no hotels. Camping is something I have always loved, but havent done in years due to having pets. I think I will take this opportunity to go some new places! 🚙

kja

lol, Dayle, I've been thinking about back-up plans for my not-yet-cancelled spring trip that involve a car only -- no fights, no trains, no massively visited sites! Worth considering, for sure!