Is it worth a side trip to Deruta for the pottery or are the prices the same in other locations? I'll be in Tuscany area for two weeks and Deruta seems a bit out of the way, but would love to buy dishes and other pottery made in Italy. Any advise out there?

Mitzi, If you're there for two weeks, I'd say go for it! I haven't been there, but Frances Mayes, in her book "Bella Tuscany", talks about going to Deruta for pottery, and interesting things along the way. I think it would be worth the experience, and make a good day trip, or an additional stop on a day trip.

I was just there, and it was okayyy, but if you are only there to buy Pottery, you can buy Deruta pottery just about everywhere...it is present in every town, and prices were the same!

Mitzi, I too was very interested in visiting Deruta this time but after speaking to someone who had been there am now thinking better of it. I collect a pattern made in Deruta and think I will bypass the visit this time as well. These are the reasons <BR>1. Got some pretty pieces at the Straw Market in Florence last time for a really good price. Approx $12 Cad for a dinner plate. About $85 back home! <BR>2. Deruta is about 2 hours from where we are staying. <BR>3. My friend told me that Deruta is very overwhelming in the fact that the ceramica is everywhere. Unless you know exactly where to look you may end up very frustrated. <BR>4. Have also heard that the prices are a little higher there as well, if you can believe that one? <BR>Having said all that. if we are ever to stay closer to Deruta I would like to visit one day, but for now, I will be content to shop in the smaller towns closer by and the markets in Florence. <BR>Have a great trip and Happy Ceramica Hunting!

How do all you pottery shoppers get your purchases home to US?

I did go to Deruta on a 1996 trip to Italy, but it was on the way, and not a side trip. I'd echo the previous posters; it's not really worth a side trip unless you're REALLY into pottery. <BR> <BR>If you are in the market for a large number of pieces, then you might want to go to Deruta, because there is a larger variety of pieces & designs there, and all the stores are probably knowledgeable about shipping. If you're like me, and like a piece or two of pottery that you'll carry home, you can find enough pretty, not-expensive stuff in just about every other city or town. <BR> <BR>One thing I bought in Deruta that I love, because I look at it every day, is one tile, with a man drinking Barolo wine on it. I glued a piece of felt to the bottom, and put my coffee cup on it every morning at work.

In response to Gails question "How do we get all that pottery home?" Many shops will ship for you but I have always just wrapped everything very carefully and employed the use of my family's arms. We are the family of 4 running ever so gingerly through the Frankfurt airport with ceramica tucked under every arm! One great tip that someone else told me was to pack along some sheets of bubble wrap and an extra sports type bag to haul some of it in.

Thanks everyone....I'll think about the time it will take to get there versus buying from the market places. If prices are about the same everyone....time better spent sipping wine in a piazza!!!

What a good idea Lexma90 had re gluing felt to the bottom of a tile to put a coffee cup on. I think this would also make a nice gift to bring home to friends/relatives. Tiles would lie nice and flat and would be easier to pack than say coffee cups - which I always seem to pick up. <BR> <BR>Does anyone else have any clever ideas for the use of tiles? <BR> <BR>I found that when I went to a town near Amalfi that is also know for its pottery, shopping becomes overwhelming going from store to store comparing prices, designs, colors, etc. I felt like I wasted so much time going back and forth among the shops b/c I liked everything. The more shops you have, the more complicated your decisions become. <BR> <BR>

HI--We took a side trip to Deruta about a month ago when I was in Italy and I agree with the other posters--if you're really into pottery, then go, but there's a ton of it there and it's a bit overwhelming. After a while it all began to look the same to me. What I did like about the town is that many buildings are decorated wth amazing, intricate tilework and we even saw one adorned with plates and ceramic shards. I found that more enjoyable than the shops. Also, I don't know where in Tuscany you'll be but Gubbio, Todi and Orvieto are also ceramics towns, each with a slightly different take on the designs. Have fun!

Elsa -- What is the town near Amalfi that you mentioned that is known for its pottery?

Lisa, <BR> <BR>The town I was referring to is Vietri sul Mare, and if I remember correctly it is about a 35min. bus ride from Amalfi. The town itself is nothing special and I don't think there are as many tourists as in Amalfi, Positano, and Sorrento. That being said, I don't know who buys all the pottery b/c it wasn't that busy in April - which I realize is not really the tourist season, but the other towns did have quite a few tourists - when we were there last year. Maybe the summer time brings a lot more people as it does to the other Amalfi coastal towns. One would go there just to buy the pottery, b/c it doesn't have the charm the other towns have. IMHO. <BR>

Elsa: Is the pottery that one finds in Vietri sul Mare also available in Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, etc. (only in lesser selection/quantity and perhaps higher prices?), or can you only find it in Vietri sul Mare? The reason I ask is because I only have 3 days to spend on the Amalfi coast (staying in Positano), and although I love pottery, I am not sure I want to take the time and effort to seek out Vietri sul Mare given my limited time. (I will also be in Rome and Tuscany on this trip.)

I love pottery, and Deruta was wonderful! The markets DO NOT have the quality that Deruta has. It's a unique experience, esp. talking to the potters. <BR> <BR>Siena has a wonderful pattern for their pottery too, based on the duomo's marble pattern. If that's more in line with your travels...look for some pottery there.

I'm also interested in your reply to Lisa's most recent questions. Also, is the pottery from the Almalfi region uniquely different from the other regions? Does much of the pottery have a lemon motif? <BR>Thanks, can't wait to see it.

Hi, <BR> <BR>We agree with Jen. We flipped over the gorgeous stuff in Deruta and found a wonderful selection of excellent quality pottery in beautiful patterns at a place called Geribi, on the road that runs parallel to the highway. <BR> <BR>There's a nice young woman who works there who speaks English. We chatted a bit and she might remember us. <BR> <BR>Just say, Don and Linda from TheTravelzine say hello. Thanks! <BR> <BR>TheTravelzine.com is non-commercial

Just to give you another alternative. If you happen to be in the area of Perugia, go to Gubbio about 19 miles north. Beautiful pottery in many small potters' shops and a wonderful medieval hillside town as well. The countryside (northern Umbria) is beautiful.

Lisa - I personally probably would not go to V. sul M. again to buy pottery, b/c it is a long bus ride there from Pos.(we had to change in Amalfi), and there are so many shops I had a difficult time deciding what pieces & patterns I wanted. I'm not one that has difficulty making decisions ordinarily, but there was just TOO much to choose from. The fact that my husband was with me when we to V. sul M. didn't help b/c I could tell the town didn't have much for him to explore while I shopped. Also, as I said the town was not a "must see" kind of place, so you wouldn't miss anything in that department. It is rather difficult to compare prices with Rav., Amal, & Pos. b/c unless you have the exact same article from 2 or 3 towns you can't do it. The pottery in all the places you inquired about is rather inexpensive compared to what it would cost in the USA. I just wouldn't waste my time going back to Amalfi if I saw a pitcher there for 1 price and then saw the same 1 in Pos. for a little more. Yes, it might have been cheaper in Am., but do you want to spend the $$ & time going back to Am. just for that? Look around each town & if you like something, just get it. We are going to Tuscany in Sept. & the pottery is supposed to be great there also. I wouldn't waste my time shopping for pottery in Rome when there is so much to do & see there. <BR> <BR>Arlene - If you like the lemon &/or animal designs, I believe those are associated with the Amal. coast area but I bet you can get them in Tuscany, however, I wouldn't take the chance. Maybe someone else can answer that. I think it would be nice to buy some- <BR>thing(s) from each area to remember that town(s) when you are home. <BR>

lexma90: what a great idea with the tile and felt. i already told my husband i want to buy tiles and then have them mounted on a board and make a hot plate from them.

I would like my husband to make me a table with the tiles I plan to buy. THIS will be quite interesting! Hope we don't end up in divorce court, since he doesn't have a clue as to where to start. I think he has persuaded a friend, who after a career in investments, decided to take up woodworking upon retirement. <BR> <BR>Does anyone have any ideas as to what else we could do with the beautiful tiles?