TomTom for Venice

I wouldn't get a GPS just for assistance walking around, especially Venice, but that is me. As Rick says, it's best to get lost in Venice because after all, it's a bunch of islands, you can only get so lost :) Plus the signage leading you back to the main landmark locations is very very good. My guess is that yes most GPS systems would show most of the canals and alleys (since my $7 paper map did), but whether you would need it is another issue (I personally don't think so). If you think you might actually drive in europe at some point, then it's definitely worth it! Sometimes I would put my GPS in my day bag with the intention of using it to help me while walk around and I always would just pull out a paper map or follow posted signs to get where I was going. Also, keep in mind that the batteries in those things don't last all that long. If you plan to use it to help you walk around all day in Venice, it may not even last until the afternoon. so i would say only you can decide if it'd be worth it depending on what you plan to use it for.

I don't really want a hiking GPS but I am getting a new unit and I was just wondering if I spend just a bit more then I would for a car GPS with US maps if it would be worth it. I wouldn't be relying on it in Venice I just thought it might be fun to have there. I will be doing some driving in Tuscany too but I know that would work already.

I always use a map when in Venice and reserve the GPS for the road. A lot of hotels give out miniature fold out maps. It's fun just to get lost there anyway. You never know what you will run across. There are yellow signs posted on the buildings everywhere that point you towards Rialto, or towards San Marco, etc., so you can't get too lost. Just make certain that your GPS has European maps installed and learn how to use it before you leave. You won't need a GPS for Venice.

My Garmin shows Venice's canals as well as streets so I would imagine TomTom's do as well.

We took a Garmin off road GPS, also does roads and driving, with us to Italy for driving in Tuscany. We tried it out of curiosity in Rome and found that if we were between tallish buildings, the GPS would lose us and have to catch up with us again when we got to a more open area. We didn't even try it in Venice.

TomTom has a walking mode but I'm not sure what the battery life is like when you take it out of the car. Although I haven't done it, I expect it has a map of Venice. If you do walking mode, be sure to switch it back to driving when you put it in your car, it might send you down a flight of stairs.

I found that Garmin has a series of city maps that are specifically for pedestrians that you can download for $9.99 each so I will get a Garmin (it has to be a recent model). I can get one cityXplorer map for Venice and one for Florence and I'll be set.

Forget walking around with a gps. You'll be messing around with it and miss the sights or bump into buildings with your head down. The darn things are bulky to tote anyway and the battery dies in an hour or so, then you have to figure out a way to charge it. Do it the old fashioned way - - get a throw-away map from the TI or get lost for a while. It's a lot more fun.

I am going to be in Venice for ten days next spring. I will be roaming around plenty but as I said I am buying a new GPS for my car and will probably rent a car a few days while in Tuscany and will bring it for that so I was wondering about it for Venice. I already have a couple paper Venice maps. I always like to study maps before I go spend time in a place, I also watch films, look at google earth read books and guides to try to get a good introduction.

Lisa, buy the TT with the EU maps and use it just for driving. When you do that, make sure that you are also carrying a Michelin road map and a compass. Trust me, there will be times when you need all of the above technologies. TT is a EU company and their maps are great. We love our TT, have used it all over the EU and N America, but there is no way that I would drag it along on a walking tour.

Lisa, I understand the desire to plan and plan, I am the same way. Just with Venice, its greatness (in my opinion anyway) lies at least in part when you do allow yourself to wander and get lost and explore along the way - whether that means snacking, people-watching, shopping, wandering in little churches, etc. If you try to become a slave to a map or a GPS in Venice, you will not really experience the city the same way. Just my opinion.

Debra sums it up perfectly. Leave it in your room. Have a great time!

I plan to do plenty of wandering in Venice. But I have also been doing my studies and planning and have places I know I want to visit little canals and odd places I would like to find. I'll be there 10 days so I should have time lots of time for getting lost and finding places. I will not be a slave to it, I promise.