GPS v. Sicily = WTF
Jun 26th, 2014, 10:13 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GPS v. Sicily = WTF
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.
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.
Jun 26th, 2014, 10:30 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
Jun 26th, 2014, 10:49 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
Jun 26th, 2014, 04:46 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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!
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!
Jun 27th, 2014, 04:13 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
Jun 27th, 2014, 04:54 AM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,958
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
Jun 27th, 2014, 06:20 AM
#9
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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!
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!
Jun 27th, 2014, 07:32 AM
#10
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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. ;^)
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. ;^)
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
travelfan1
Europe
5
Jun 5th, 2012 07:36 PM
