Maps?

Michelin. But wait until you get there. They're cheaper there. If you know where you plan to drive you can download maps and driving directions freom www.viamichelin.com

Scott - now I travel with a GPS (with the wife driving), but in the past I used michelin maps and for even more detail I would use Google Maps and print out areas that needed more detail. I carried them and used them to supplement my maps when we got off the beaten path or in "focused" sections of a large city.

Now though, we never even open an map - Technology!!

Ciao,
Ron

I use both. Best maps are found in the areas you are traveling in. sold many places, news stands, small shops, kiosks, on those spinning display stands where you find postcards. Beauty of maps are they come in different resolutions and give you a different perspective than gps. Also, have geographic features, history, etc, that gps cannot offer.

Michelin maps are good but read the reviews on getting a GPS for driving in Italy. Even with a GPS, a map is good for orienting yourself.

If we're renting a car my husband usually maps a route using ViaMichelain for Driving Trip Planning or Google Maps Google Maps for Driving Trip Planning before we leave to get directions, distances between points and time estimates. Then, if necessary we buy a map when we arrive.

AAA maps have always been enuf for me but if you are looking for small villages not on AAA map. get your maps at a tabac shop in Italy or buy them in USA at ie. Barnes & Noble bookstore.

Touring Club of Italy has the very best maps of Italy with the largest scale including every small town. You could purchase at major bookstores, or online. Buying the maps before a trip help with trip planning.
http://www.touringclub.com/ENG/Travellers/GuidebooksMaps/Series/Maps__Road_Atlases.aspx

I got my favorite map at a bookstore travel section.