We were staying in Taormina for about a week last month taking various day trips using the GPS. Well, we have certainly driven on some unusual roads, paths, dirt alleys, and assorted passageways of four wheeled transport. We ultimately end up at our intended destination, usually, but what was it thinking?

Returning to Taormina each evening begins our craziness again, especially on the twisting, curving roadways. The screen resembled a dish of linguine. Once we knew our way back we disconnected the device and found our way back to the b&b.

The owner of the b&b gave us a map of Sicily, but it was the size of a double bed. I know, we should have brought one with us, but we did just fine, nonetheless, and it made for some good memories and laughs.

Life is good.

Buon viaggio,

Buon viaggio.

I have a GPS built into my phone with a full map of western Europe. The first time I used it the same thing happened to me with the unit taking me down narrow dirt roads. I drilled down into the menu and eliminated routes that required dirt roads. Works much better now. But I always buy a local map as a backup.

Sounds like fun. Somehow we seem to end up on those roads wherever we go.

GPS suggested routes require sanity check especially in Europe.

GPS recommended routes are usually ok in the U.S. where most roads chosen by GPS are paved and can indeed be driven easily. However, in Europe, they don't seem to have sufficient details built in. The GPS I have used don't have option, if any, to choose only streets allowed for non-local residents. Also, the GPSs have more liberal view of the kind of streets one can drive. It would lead me to streets where I could only drive by folding both side mirrors and only if the residents happened to care to park their cars to allow passages. And yes, GPS can also lead you to unpaved roads where aren't necessary be covered by rental insurance.

Once in France we asked the in-car GPS to find the nearest gas station. It sent us into the middle of a cultivated field. Maybe it thought we were seeking some sort of bio-fuel.

Ah yes. The GPS doesn't know the difference between a stairway with a name and an actual street. Sometimes it sends you the wrong way on a one-way - that's always interesting.

Good to have a paper map as back up and be familiar with the larger highway numbers because often the GPS thinks the most direct (least # of Kms. = the best route) - not! Good also to have any helpful directions from the hotel/lodging. But always good to enjoy a "scenic" route and not worry.

Loved Sicily!

The same thing has happened to us in Italy, as well. Many times we've arrived after taking the "scenic" route.

We've stayed severe times in my neighbors house in a small mountaintop village outside of Napoli called Nusco. Every time we use the gps to go down the mountain it tells us to go in unusual directions. We just attribute this to evil spirits.

Some of the actual streets in our town *have* a stairway in the middle, and tourists have been directed to those streets. I haven't heard of anyone ending up on a stairway here, but it's happened in other towns nearby.

I don't know about Sicily, but in most of central or northern Italy, the road signs are quite reliable. If your GPS tells you to turn left to get to Borgaccio, but you see a road sign pointing left, it's better to trust the road sign.

Bvlenci, the road signs are reliable in northern Italy if you understand abbreviations like "Bo-Pad"!

GPS in the Boston area, especially when a detour is involved, may send you through a very scary part of town. There are several scary parts of town, so there are lots of ways in can route you through places you don't want to go!

What people seem to miss is that you have different options with a GPS. On a TomTom you can pick 'Shortest route' or 'Fastest route". Guess what? "Shortest" will send you by some odd little roads. "Fastest" keeps you to the bigger roads with higher speed limits.

You can also choose to avoid unpaved roads... choosing this will keep you off the goat tracks. Yes, GPS is not perfect but then again, people make mistakes reading maps too. ;^)

bvlenci,
I agree the road signs are very good and I do trust them more than the GPS. I think the GPS is helpful when you know when to ignore it and go with your instincts! Works for me