My husband and I are heading off to Italy in about two weeks, and I'm wondering if I should purchase detailed city maps for Rome, Venice, Florence before departing, or will there be plenty of free maps in the train stations/airports?

A detailed city map of rome would cover at least a meter by a meter, and no you will not get that for free. but ferw people would want or need it. Only if you are looking up specific businesses or relatives outside main tourist areas.<BR><BR>and for what you need, yes, you will have numerous free choices. FlashMaps are also a good inexpensive choice - - at larger bookstores everywhere.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

to the top, for Keri...<BR><BR>

We always purchase the Michelin city map, about 12 dollars, very small and compact about the size of a paperback book but not as thick and each page is broken into small sections of the city. It saved us a lot of walking.

Hi Keri,<BR>My personal favorite is the "Streetwise" map. Laminated, and I've never had a problem getting one to fit in my purse. Borders carries them.<BR><BR>Buon Viaggio,<BR>BC

We always purchase the Michelin city map, about 12 dollars, very small and compact about the size of a paperback book but not as thick and each page is broken into small sections of the city. It saved us a lot of walking.

We, too, are traveling soon and I had the same question. Read about the popout maps in a travel guide and bought one for Florence and one for Rome from Border's on-line. They are small enough to fit in your pocket but their unique 'pop-out' design allows for a ton of information. Check out their website at www.popoutmaps.com

We also buy the Streetwise maps...they include the metro stops on them which is very handy.

The StreetWise or ArtWise maps are the most you will need for a short visit. They are in every Borders/ B&N or other good bookstore. they are waterproof and compact so very handy.<BR><BR>the artwise ones are almost identical to the streetwise - but have more of the galleries, theatres, etc notated.<BR><BR>I have one or the other for London, Paris, Florence, Vienna, Madrid and Rome and will buy others as I need them.

Three posts after the fact, I realize now that it was StreetWise that I meant, not FlashMaps. I have used FlashMaps for NYC and maybe in outher US cities. They're more like a book than a map. I apologize for my confusion.<BR>

For each of these cities you will find good and free maps at the local Turism office (Apt) or at the station or airport. These maps cover mainly the center of the city, but they are usually fully satisfactory for a tourist and provide as well locations for every interesting monument or building, not only those widely known to foreigners but also some minor (but still fascinating) less famous things.

Streetwise.

Find one that YOU can read..I have several that are good but I have trouble focusing on the names and have to ponder over them! I found Streetwise to be the best for my needs.<BR><BR>Borders has them for Rome, Florence, Venice, etc.I even bought some for places I haven't visited yet to start learning where I want to go !

thanks everyone! i'll definitely take a look at the streetwise maps. since we arrive in rome at 8 am and have just 4 days there, i'd like to "hit the ground running," so will pick up a rome map at the minimum.