We will be doing a 4 day driving tour of Tuscany and staying in a country villa called Terre di Nano, in southern Tuscany's Val d'Orcia and will use a car to tour around.
Which map is best for navigating what may prove to be off-the-beaten roads?
Has anyone heard of this villa we will be staying at?
Thanks for your time.
DiDi
Once there you will find very good and detailed maps at the local shops...often available in different scales or resolutions. They are much more specific to the locality.
I've used Michelin maps in the past, and these seem to have a good amount of detail. I believe you can buy the Italy version at Rick's travel store.
I'm not familiar with Terre di Nano, but hopefully someone else here will have some information.
Happy travels!
Thank you for the map recommendations. I will check out the Michelin map for sure.
DiDi
RENT A GPS with your rental car!!!!!! Or buy one here that has Europe pre-loaded (Tom Tom), learn how to use it, and take it with you!
We just came back from our 4th trip to Italy. I navigated thruout Rome with no problems, but some of the roads and streets thru towns were not on our map (the Michelin map does NOT show some of the major sideroads). I vowed never to go back without a GPS. It can take all of the stress out of navigating.
Autoeurope.com car rental agency just had a deal where you would get a GPS for free if you rented thru them. They have this deal every once in a while (and they have the best rates in Italy.)
Too cheap to spring for the GPS? (you'll regret it!) Go to the Michelin web site, and plot out your trip. You can get infinitely more detail there than you can on their maps!
Have you read the reviews on Terre Di Nano in Trip Advsor?
Seriously, rent a GPS. We stayed near a small town about 30 minutes outside of Florence and without one we would've gotten lost every time.
Even if you get a car with GPS, also get a Michelin map and a compass. On our last trip our friends had their own car with GPS and they voluntered to lead the way through Tuscany. We got lost and so we took over the lead with our map and compass.
Maybe they didn't know how to use GPS, but even with GPS, it never hurts to be prepared with a map and a compass too. Also, our car had GPS but we couldn't figure out how to use it.
I bought some detailed maps at www.initaly.com. They have maps of regions such as Tuscany and more detailed maps of provinces within the regions-eg- Siena province, Tuscany region.
DiDi,
If you're considering a GPS, you might also have a look at the Garmin Nuvi series (some are equipped with Europe maps). If the rental firm provides GPS at reasonable cost, that's another option to consider.
I strongly agree with the other Posters here, in that it's a very GOOD idea to also have a "backup" in the form of a Map & Compass. I've got a GPS unit and have been familiarizing myself with it prior to my trip. In my experience (so far), I've found that they work well, but are not totally infallible (the goofy machine went into "brain lock" and led me into a dead-end road on one occasion). It was NOT user error, as the next time I selected the same destination, it worked perfectly. If this had occurred in an unfamiliar area while I was travelling in Europe, I would have been completely lost!
Happy travels!
Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions regarding the gps, maps, compass and especially the Trip Advisor postings on Terra Di Nano.
I didn't have much to go on when I booked this location but thought it sounded beautiful and the propietor Giorgio was very prompt in his replies.
I have purchased a map called the Insight FlexiMap Tuscany (Flexi) [Map] by American Map Corporation before I received your posts.
I will be putting in my order for a Michelin map but am debating whether I should order a general Italy map or get another Tuscany Michelin map.
I will check with our rental company regarding the GPS as I hate to buy one when I have a built in one in my car at home. I will however make sure we pack a compass as I imagine the roads are not well marked once we get off the beaten path.
Safe journeys to all.
DiDi
DiDi, we took the Michelin Italy "tourist and motoring atlas", a 8 1/2 X 11" spiral bound notebook. It had much more detail than the regular fold out map. (Our last trip encompassed a large area)
Go to your local bookstore ( and brouse the maps). We got ours at the local Borders.
Oh, and I totally agree about the compass and map. Don't leave home without 'em! That GPS is NOT infallible!
Hi Steve,
I hadn't thought about getting one of the spiral maps as I hadn't used one before but it's off to Borders for me to check one out.
We will be doing a bike trip in the Tuscany by the Sea are prior to our visit to Terra Di Nano and I am trying to keep the number of guide books and papers down to a minimum. I guess the weight of a map won't break my weight restrictions and for sure it will make it less frustrating to get around.
Thanks again to you and all the caring travelers that have answered my questions.
Safe travels.
DiDi
Di Di, the spiral map for driving will have way too many pages for just the area you are traveling. It is about 8-1/2 x 10. You only need the foldout type of map for just the Tuscany/Umbria area. If you were driving a lot of distances - Southern Italy up to the northern part then the spiral bound map would be great but not for the area or 4 days. I'll keep watching what others post for my information. We have the Touring Club Italiano Italia centrale map for the area we will be driving.
b
Miss B makes a good point about the spiral maps: they are very heavy and bulky.
DiDi, Miss B and Kent make a very valid point. That 8 1/2 x 11 spiral bound map is not exactly the lightest thing, but since we were covering such a large area (Lazio,Puglia,Bascilicata, etc) it was mandatory for us.
I also carry two guidebooks when I travel in Italy....a RS and a Lonely Planet. I won't go without either.
.........and "the Boss" thinks that I am crazy carrying all of that weight, but I "weigh" my options, and being armed with lots of info is my security blanket. Each person has to eval their needs, and make a decision that makes them the "happy camper".
I agree with the GPS it is worth the expense but I alwaystravel with the Michelin Spiral map of italy. It has all the little roads although thoses little roads often seem like a cow path in Tuscany.
We're both "techno peasants", so we like the detailed Michelin maps; #563 is the specific one for Tuscany,Umbria, San Marino, Marche, Lazio, and Abruzzo. I use a highlighter to mark out our probable route(s) before we leave home and then just fold/refold to keep the pertinent area small as we drive.
Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions. Maps, highlighter, compass and Rick Steves book of phrases in hand we are all set to enjoy the beauty of Tuscany.
Will report back upon my return.
Safe journeys to all.
Another vote for Michelin 563 plus my Garmin GPS.
