Map for driving Italy

I'd be surprised if you could find such a map. Small and compact just can't be that detailed unless it can unfold out to 3'x3' like our Michelin map of just Tuscany. It folded up nice but it was huge. Lots of great driving info on it, however. Your best bet overall is a good GPS.

I'd recommend a GPS also and to bring your own. You could probably get a car with a unit in it but you could lose time and hair getting to understand it and setting it up for your preferences. A map would be good for a backup but wouldn't depend on it completely.

I have a map of Italy that is basically a little booklet with different sections of Italy in different pages. There is also a page that gives you the overall picture of the country but then you go to the specific section of the region where you are at the time. It's very compact booklet (4in X 8in) but very detailed and it's published by Hallwag international, a German publisher. I purchased it in Italy. I'm sure You can find something like that in Italian bookstores or news stands or even a tobacconist. I prefer to have booklets like that with maps broken into sections because I find foldout maps too cumbersome and you need several of them to cover all regions with the same level of detail. I don't know if you can find one at home, but I would make it a point to buy one as soon as you arrive because over there you'll have more choices. A GPS is useful! but I rarely rely on the GPS only, especially for the planning part. You need a paper map to complement the. GPS also because sometimes the. GPS sends you totally to the wrong path.

I usually just research where I'm going on GoogleMaps.com and Mapquest.com. I'll make myself notes.

When traveling in Chianti last year, we just navigated by road signs, and had no problem whatsoever.

You might do better to go to a bookstore after you get to Italy and find a map that's in the detail you require.

I use Michelin maps as a back-up in case our trusty GPS fails us. I find that they have enough detail but are not too large. As someone else suggested, you should really think about taking a GPS from home; my husband and I would not even think about driving through Italy without it.

Thanks - I picked up a GPS and ordered a map book.....we should be set.

I'm partial to the Touring Club Italiano maps by region. They contain lots of little symbols indicating sites of interest, as well as scenic drives.

Michelin makes good maps in varying scales but, trust me, you really want a GPS in Italy. I've driven in four continents and never felt I needed a GPS until I drove in Italy. Imagine driving somewhere unfamiliar when there are no street signs - you're imagining Italy. Even if you know the street you want to turn on, there won't be a sign to tell you you're at that street, let alone what street you're driving on. The Autostradas aren't any better, the signs don't say A-5 West next exit; instead there's a sign right at the exit that lists towns you've never heard of.

The bright side was I was able to practice my Italian as I was constantly asking directions.