Maps/GPS

"do you recommend that we get more detailed maps than whats included in the RS Italy 2010 guidebook?" Yes.

Kent, thanks for your prompt response. I apologize, I left out that we will only be traveling by train. The GPS would be for getting from point to point in cities, I heard it might be helpful in Venice. Do you have any suggestions for maps that are more detailed?

If you are not driving you shouldn't need one. Garmin does have city explorer maps so if you have a recent garmin you could download maps of Florence, Venice and Rome for $10 each but I would get a city guide map first. I just got this for Venice:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1843538628/ref=oss_product

Dee: Good for you, taking the train in Italy! You're way ahead of some first timers, who just do what they do here, rent a car, yep, for most or all of their Italy trip. (I deleted most of my 1st post, which doesn't apply to you). And I agree with the others, if you're not driving you can save the money that would be needed to buy a GPS with European maps preloaded. Instead, since you'll be on foot, just bring a small compass, and (after you get there) a detailed map of each place you're in that shows the streets in as much detail as possible. The small compass will help you stay orientedso you'll know where you are and which way you're going on the mapwhen you're hemmed in by buildings and can't see landmarks.

Thanks, Lisa. Kent, I'm sorry you typed all that out on your first post! I'm the queen of road rage here in the states, I would be scared to see what kind of demonized version of myself I would become driving in Italy!! I'll nix the GPS system and do some research on detailed maps. Thanks guys!

Strictly speaking, GPS isn't required even if driving in Europe. Somehow we all got along just fine in the days before satellites and computers using only printed maps. If you aren't driving, you definitely do not need GPS. Detailed city maps will be either free at your hotel or available at a small cost in shops.

Dee: Yep, driving in Italy has made more than a few people feel a little crazy. And don't forget the small $10 compass. Really really helps you stay oriented on the street map and know which way you're going, when you're hemmed in by buildings and can't see landmarks.

GPS have limited functions walking in the cities. The tall building and narrow streets often block reception. You are fine if you get to the open area like a plaza. For most cities I just carry a compass (now have one built into my watch - even better) and a local map. I personally find that when I walk out of a subway or off a train if I can get my bearings quickly than I am generally OK. We made heavy use of the free maps provide by the hotels, TI s etc. On cheap paper that hardily last a day and full of advertising. Get a fresh one every day. You can mark them up, cut 'em to meet your needs for that day. The accuracy is as good as more expensive maps.

Frank - thanks for pointing that out. My husband's watch has a compass!

Remember that if you are looking down in Venice (at a GPS, map, book, or your shoelaces) you may find yourself wet. What Venice, La Senenissima, consists of is short bursts of straight ahead mixed with loads of moving out of people's way, turning corners, stopping and looking, and going over rios on tiny or not so tiny bridges. Maybe 5 steps up, over, and a different number of steps down. You need your wits about you and what I mentioned above are distractions. Despite what you may have heard you can't get lost in Venice. Keep going in a relatively straight line and you will run into a big canal. There are signs on the buildings everywhere. Getting "misplaced" (I'm never lost but sometimes misplaced for a few moments) is much of the fun. Also - and a big also - a hand held GPS is one more pretty thing for the few elements of low-life to see and want. Oh, and for your first question - yes get a better map. We have found after each year we leave the Venice map behind and have to buy another that the fully detailed laminated ones are best for us.

Dee, A portable GPS unit is somewhat of a "luxury" for getting around cities - useful but not essential. I use a Garmin Nüvi GPS unit simply because I already own one, and it's a useful bit of gear to have if I'll also be driving during a holiday. I tend to use a combination of the Maps in the RS Guidebooks (I copy and enlarge them) along with the one-page Maps provided by most Hotels. The RS Maps are especially good for finding my Hotel when I first arrive in a new city. In my experience, the GPS works great in cities, even if between tall buildings. However, it's important to start out in an open area, so the unit can "get a lock" first, especially if it's a different city than the GPS was previously used in. Given the fact that you're on a "tight budget", you should be able to manage just fine with a Map and Compass. Happy travels!

Thanks for all the replies everyone! After my last reply last night, I logged off because my husband was getting in from work. And what do you think he was carrying in his hand? A Garmin navigation system! One of his clients had it but never used it and gave it to him knowing that we were getting ready to travel. I was already prepared to just go with maps and the compass on his watch. It's extra weight to carry. And maybe getting "misplaced" (thanks Nigel) is half the fun. Now to convince my husband to leave it behind...

Here's a comment in favor of leaving it behind, especially when you're walking: Having to ask for directions is one of the ways you get to interact with the locals. The more you make yourself independent, the more you end up traveling in a bubble. And it's especially true of Venice. Have a great time.

If I were driving in Europe I would definitely use a GPS. I used to drive around the UK in the mid 90's pre GPS time. I kept a large wire bound UK map and set little post it flags on the place I was heading to and the biggest town beyond where I was heading. Now about 15 years later and my eyes (as well as the rest of me way over 40) I can no longer read the map on the fly even with my reading glasses. I would go both map and GPS for certain when driving anywhere.

The GPS stays!

Dee, One point that needs to be verified with the "gift" that your husband received, is whether the GPS unit is equipped with European Maps? There are only a few Garmin models supplied with both North American and European Maps. Which Garmin model is it? If the unit only has N.A. maps, you'll get a "rude awakening" the first time you use it in Europe. Cheers!

I agree with everyone that if you aren't driving to not bother bringing it. I've never found it really useful walking around and to me getting a little lost sometimes can be half the fun. Most towns will have a tourist map you can pick up in the TI office or most hotels will have one. And, just gotta throw this in, driving in Italy really is'nt that bad once you get used to it. BUT...the further south you go the crazier it does get.

Though TomTom and Garmin (probably magellan does too) sell models with both North America and European maps you can always buy and add European maps to GPS units that just have North America.

I had driven in Asia, Australia, North America, British Isles and Northern Europe without a GPS and had decided I didn't need one - until I went to Italy. I can't emphasize it enough - GET A GPS! I would only recommend Garmin or TomTom as they are the only brands that get consistently top ratings by consumers. In Italy, the first thing you will notice is there are no street signs. All the streets have names and your GPS will know what they are. Even with a good map, you will still have trouble figuring out where you are (we were comparing shapes of blocks to the map). Your GPS will know addresses. Every building has an address but the only indication is a small tile over some doors that can only be read if you are standing immediately in front of the door (certainly not from a car in the street). On the autostrada exits aren't marked "A30 West"; instead there will be a sign near the exit with an arrow and a list of two or three small towns you never heard of. There is no time to consult your map to decide if that's where you want to go. Even if you know you need the next exit heading West, the one that looks right invariably turns around and sends you in the other direction. If you take the wrong exit, you will drive ten or fifteen minutes to the nearest exit, pay your toll, find a way across the autostrada, find an on-ramp, get a ticket and start going again. Each wrong turn costs you 20-30 minutes.

IMO a careful reading of Brad's post (immediately above) will be quite helpful for those driving in Italy for the first time, even if they've driven in other European countries. His post gives examples and explains why driving in Italy is different from driving in other European countries. And it gives reasons why a GPS will help in a way that paper maps won't. For example, paper maps don't help when you can't read street signs from your car.