Southern Italy Trip- What Should I Buy?

[zack24]

My lovely wife and I are returning to southern Italy for our 1 year anniversary. Along the way, we'll be visiting my briar supplier and trying to meet some artisan carvers in the area. My question- I will be scouring every out of the way pipe shop and flea market for estate pipes. What would you be looking for and what would be a good price to pay for it? Also- Do you know of any pipemakers in Sorrento, Capri, Ischia, or Calabria?...

 

[cigrmaster]

Zack, if you can find any Beckers or Castellos take a shot. I have no idea as to what prices are there, but check out estate prices here and try to get an idea. Also keep an eye out for any Baldo Baldi pipes, those are real high dollar pieces and if you can score them for under 150.00 that would be a major score.

 

[zack24]

Very cool Harris...and I know you're disposing of your Euro pipes, but if you have anything special you'd like let me know...

 

[tbradsim1]

Zack, look for Grenci, he taught the Beckers about Briar. Sleepers.

 

[zack24]

Thanks Bradley, I'll put him on the list...
Roth, there are many great choices in the Milan, Rome, Lake Cuomo, and Northern Italian area...It's gets a little tougher down in the Calabria Region. My briar supplier should be some help once I get there...Should be interesting- he speaks no English and I speak a little Italian- fortunately, Greta my wife is fluent...and guys seem to like talking to her anyway...

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Let me know what you find. Next summer I am headed to Italy, Spain, Greece and Turkey on a family vacation and plan t hunt for some pipes.

 

[dochudson]

I would think being in Italy with Greta.. briar and flea markets would be a low priority.

 

[zack24]

dochudson...you're a wise man....but there are 24 hours in the day...
Peck, I'll let you know...covering a lot of ground in the south. We'll base everything out of Sorrento and will be spending a couple of nights in Colabria, 2 nights on Ischia, and rent a boat to take over to Capri for a couple of days...We really prefer the South over the North- friendlier people, less touristy, but the downside is that if one of you can't speak Italian, it's tough to get around. More English in the North...but not our favorite area...

 

[pstlpkr]

Might I suggest... Claudio Cavicchi.

 

[zack24]

Good choice Lawrence...unfortunately, he's in Bologna- hopefully we'll see a few of his estate pipes for sale in the South. The problem is that almost all the Italian pipemakers that people are familiar with are in the North...even though a lot of them use the Calabrian briar from the South...