European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 9, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A Ceramic Swan is on Sale at Larry a a move Cap Dimonte factory specializing in ornate creations and one of the places visited on the bus  Della Ceramic by Kathy Piatt staff writer at the end of a two week vacation in Italy last november a Friend and i discovered Nove one of the country s True hot spots for lovers of italian pottery. One Little sports car was packed to the Max when we drove off into the Sunset Many dollars poorer. For some one trip would have been enough. But not for us. On the drive Home we began plotting How and when to return for one More spree in Hopes of having enough Christmas and birthday gifts stockpiled for the next decade. Not to mention a few keepsakes of our own. We found the perfect Opportunity when top Tours began offering a $79 shopper s express to Nove and Bassano Del grappa two stops on Italy s Strada Della Ceramic or Ceramic Road. Bus trips can be grueling experiences particularly for those who can t sleep sitting up. But personally this trip was Worth it because it accomplished exactly what i wanted a a and at considerable savings when compared with winging it Solo. Another plus was that the bus made stops at two of the places we had shopped at in Nove that i particularly wanted to revisit. The first was Ancora the largest of the Nove outlets visited on either trip. The design of its pottery is heavy on Flowers fruits and vegetables. The second was at la Ceramic ., which pottery galore at an unbeatable Price let is 5. A dishy plate a plate depicts a couple locked in an eternal kiss. Produces the plates bowls and platters decorated with shells crayfish and Lemon slices. It also offers a wide assortment of mosaic designed pieces including trivets trinket boxes plates and platters. Ancora and Are separately owned by members of the same family and one can occasionally but rarely find the same items at each place. Located next to , was a smaller family business owned by the Zar Pellon Brothers this shop specializes in pricier lamps and vases but also offers a few unusual Centrepieces. Another Stop was at Larry a a Cap Dimonte factory right Down the Street from Ancora. Its pottery is extremely ornate much of it of a religious nature. There Are 140 factories in this one town so a Day trip barely scratches the surface of the pottery Trail. In addition to a great selection the factories offer Good prices. For example some spoon holders that went for less than.$5 each were seen Selling in san Francisco for $15.95. Likewise two hand painted plates about 10-inches in diameter that Cost me about $20 were Selling for $86 and $129 in the Stales. The bus tour itinerary included a Stop at a sweater factory which was not open to the disappointment of at least one passenger. But an informal Survey among the passengers revealed general Overall satisfaction with the trip. Our bus was Only about half full with 18 women two men and tour Oft dab. It made to lungs relatively Crimiti Nudd on Page 6 june 9, 1994 stripes Magazine 5