| Attracting droves of tourists every year, | | | | elegantly unique patterns so it's difficult |
| Europe promises the ancient, the diverse, and | | | | to not want to see them all. Stop by Cama, |
| the completely fascinating. Most travelers | | | | right off the main road, for a tour of the |
| scurry past the major sites and cram in as | | | | facility and a step-by-step journey through |
| much as possible in order to get through a | | | | the process of ceramics. Cama's proud of |
| list of 'must sees.' Unfortunately, much is | | | | their family-owned company and guests of |
| overlooked due to lack of time and money | | | | their factory will see an uncle spinning |
| while the infinite unique treasures sometimes | | | | cool, wet clay into pots and pitchers while |
| hidden for the resourceful traveler remain | | | | mom is sanding the seams from the dried |
| undiscovered and unappreciated. Not that | | | | earthenware. Follow the circuit to witness |
| visits to the key attractions should be | | | | the expert artists paint each creamy white |
| dissuaded! On the contrary, I'm simply | | | | argil into a masterpiece of color. Cama's |
| inviting the European travelers to dig a | | | | work has been given to the Pope so it's |
| little deeper into their destination country | | | | without a doubt, high-quality craftsmanship. |
| and find the gems that will make them smile | | | | Deruta's Old Town also offers shoppers a |
| as they recall them even decades later. | | | | delightful time but in a more charming |
| Remember and celebrate the taste of a fresh | | | | atmosphere. Aged buildings adorned by painted |
| German pretzel, the sweet smell of the air in | | | | tiles sit just past the city gates and scream |
| a Tuscan vineyard, or the baby soft petals in | | | | to be noticed. Visitors pop in and out of |
| a colorful field of Dutch tulips. Savor an | | | | little stores while the cheerful water |
| entire spectrum of sensory bliss as you skip | | | | fountain in the middle of the cobblestone |
| from one country to the next, searching for | | | | road provides soft background music. Shop |
| that tiny unique detail that you will fondly | | | | owners greet passersby with smiles and |
| relish for the rest of your life. Window | | | | conversation, eager to share information on |
| after window of priceless painted ceramics, a | | | | their wares. Visit Mariam, whose talent is |
| symphony of colors that dance seamlessly | | | | truly astounding. She sets herself apart from |
| together, and terra cotta-colored buildings | | | | other Deruta artists by using shades of green |
| that have overlooked the area since the | | | | and painting the outside surface of her |
| Middle Ages - it's almost too much to take in | | | | bowls. Stop by Rolli Reno, who paints |
| for visitors of Deruta. The sun warmly shines | | | | exquisite tiles of all sizes and incorporates |
| down on the masters that lovingly knead and | | | | them into trays, key ring hooks, and frames. |
| massage their clay while shoppers 'oohh' and | | | | His style explodes with a colorful symmetry |
| 'ahhh' over the gorgeous works of art. A day | | | | that can brighten any place it's displayed |
| in Deruta promises a treasure trove of finds | | | | in. Deruta's the 'Ceramic of |
| as well as the potential of making new | | | | Ceramics'...any piece is sure to become a |
| friends - all packaged up in a relaxed | | | | family heirloom |
| atmosphere worthy of any Italian town. Easy | | | | |
| to find and tourist-friendly, Deruta sits | | | | Vicki Landes is the author and photographer |
| right off of Autostrada E45 and immediately | | | | of Europe for the Senses, a Photographic |
| greets its visitors with rows of ceramic | | | | Journal. She has been soaking up Europe for |
| shops and ample parking. Despite housing over | | | | the last six years and has visited 42 |
| 200 retail stores, each offers its own | | | | countries. |