best city pocket maps

Get them now (and at one place) instead of using up time once you get there. Streetwise and PocketPilot are a couple of good series. I'd get them for Paris and Rome for sure. The other places you'd probably stumble on something that would work from the TI since you'll probably only be in the core areas.

One of the things I have started doing is using Google maps to print my own. I locate what I want (my hotel, for example) and use it as a center point in whatever scale I think I will need. http://maps.google.com/

It also takes the place of the "Take me to your leader" cards I use when I travel. I print business cards with my hotel address information (or other sights) in the local language, so if I get lost I can get a cab or help.

My wife and I are traveling to Europe for the first time and I just came across the Pocket Pilot maps so I bought a couple. They fold up small and are coated. Found them at Barnes and Noble book store.

Pocket Pilot and streetwise are good. I've heard good things about the redmaps but I have never purchased one. I used a Popout map twice in Florence and have never gotten lost and it's especially small. Definitely getting them before you go is a good idea. I like the feeling of arriving in a place and at least slightly knowing what is going on.

For Paris, the best is The Paris Mapguide by Michael Middleditch. There are also ones for NY, London, % Amsterdam. Breaks down the city very well, lots of info and since it's in a booklet form, easy to use. I have also used Let's Go city maps and they are pretty good but not as detailed.

We're partial to the Pocket-Pilot maps, partly because of their size, but also the graphics. I'm envisioning the Paris one, which gives you good graphics of where the metro and RER stops are, as well as a mini-metro map on the back.

They're still not going to give you great detail, so we back them up with a Google map printout of specific points like our hotels.

Actually we rely on the free maps that you can get from the TI or your hotel. The paper is only good for the day but can be marked up, cut up, folded just the way you need it for that day. Never had a problem with accuracy. On the last day we get a clean one, and mark the routes we took during our stay and that becomes a keeper for the scrapbook. Prior to arrival we go the Goggle map way to get us from the train to the hotel or where ever we are headed. Then shift to the few maps.

Thanks everyone!! I'll share with my husband and check them out.

I could get lost in my own house (well, just jokingly but you get the point). I like StreetWise maps because they show landmarks but even better is MapEasy for city centers (exit main entrance of train station, turn left out of entrance, walk two blocks, turn right on Via Whatever (a Gran Hotel Cavor will be on your right and a Trattoria Dante on the left). I mean, if I can look at a map, see Gran Hotel Cavor on my right etc. I'm good. Folds up small and is water resistant.

Be very wary about addresses in Venice. The hotel will have a street address, but may not be on that street. Ours was through an alleyway and across a square and was acually easier to access from a totally different direction. Get your hotel to give you directions to their premises.

The pocket map book that Parisians themselves use is "Paris Pratique" - available at any news kiosk over there. Haven't seen it here, unfortunately. I always make sure I have a copy.

I like the Knopf Mapguides. They're not really pocket-size (4" x 7") but they have fold-out sections for each part of the city center, along with a metro map and suggestions for dining, shopping, museums, etc. They fit nicely into my messenger bag.

I, too, go to the IT and get a free city map and have them mark up any places I am interested in as well as any suggestions they may have. Getting a clean copy that they do not mark up is and excellent idea for a keepsake of the trip.