I have a small compass that I bought for some urban orienteering races I do in the Seattle area. I usually don't end up using it for the races, but thought that it may come in handy for Rome and Venice. I couldn't have been more right!
Although both my wife and I are good with maps, we often found it helpful to get a bearing on our directions in Italy. Rome's streets don't go N-S, E-W. So the compass really helps when zig-zagging through the city. We covered well over 20 miles in a day a couple of times.
In Venice, the fun is in getting lost, but it's nice to know where North is so you can have an idea of which direction to get lost into as you try to 'lose your way home.'
So I highly recommend a small pocket compass for a trip including Rome and/or Venice!
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1529 posts
On this website in the travel store they sell a very small keychain with a compass and thermometer on it. I agree it's really handy to have a small compass. We have this one and attach it to our daybag. We used it several times - especially in Venice!
Posted by
OP
Bellevue, WA, USA
359 posts
The one I'm using is the Silva Forecaster Compass from REI. It's got a good size compass and also a key ring, although I just kept it in my pocket.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
712 posts
Somehow, my husband always seems to know by the sun which way is NSEorW.
I have not sense of direction that way. Maybe he learned it by being a boyscout years ago. A compass make alot of sense to me for reasons you mentioned.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Here's a quick trick if you're caught without a compass. With an analog watch (use your imagination to form one if you have a digital watch), point the hour hand in the direction of the sun. Halfway between that hour hand and 12 is south. East will be to your left, west to your right and, of course, north will be behind you. If it's cloudy, look for shadows to point to where the sun is behind the clouds
Posted by
Stockton, CA
152 posts
Great idea, which I actually figured out on our trip to Italy and England in October. In Italy, we had clear skies nearly every day, so figuring approximate direction was not too hard, in daylight. But, in England it was overcast most days, and there was no way to get oriented. Imagine how the old mariners felt trying to get their bearings!
A compass will be in my pocket from now on. Or maybe Santa will bring me a portable GPS.
Posted by
Henson, Florida, USA
466 posts
I agree, It is a necessity if you are not gifted with following maps!!!!!
Posted by
OP
Bellevue, WA, USA
359 posts
Even at that, we found it was pretty ineffective when we were unable to find where we were (after some aimless meandering in Venice). But once we found where we were, the compass came in handy!
Posted by
Newport Beach, CA, USA
769 posts
The nice thing about Venice is that you cant get too lost - as eventually you will always end up in StMarcs! (just dont step off the islands in between). Thats probably one place you dont need a compus - but id agree everyone should have a small one somewhere - like the zipper pull!
Posted by
OP
Bellevue, WA, USA
359 posts
Tom,
It's true that you can't get 'lost' on Venice, however we stayed over near the Ca Rezzonico stop and it was nice to know to start heading west when it was time to work our way back to the hotel - and then hope there'd be plenty of Vino Brule stops along the way (it was rather cold and rainy during those few days).
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
A small compass is especially useful when you are on foot and surrounded by tall buildings, knowing which direction is "up" on your street map.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
712 posts
Went to Google and typed in a search for zipper pull compass. There is one on Amazon for about $3.00 right now. You could attach it to a back pack or what ever you think you would find comfortable attaching it to.
http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Force-Rothco-Zipper-Compass/dp/B000COYKN2
Posted by
OP
Bellevue, WA, USA
359 posts
Here's the one I used.I like that the compass has a relatively large face for easy reading:
http://www.rei.com/product/408128
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I'm looking forward to handheld GPS prices coming down far enough that they'll become just as handy as a compass. But we're not really there yet.