hey all!!

I am planning on vsiting rome, florence venice and paris. Do you think it is advisable to carry city maps in advance or go there and purchase the maps.

Also in florence they have the factory outlets has any one been there, is it cheaper to buy a prada/gucci there than a duty free shop..

Any answers will be appreciated!
Thanks
D

I think you'll be fine to wait and buy the maps when you get there. You should be able to get one at any train station or street vendor. Just be sure you know how you're going to get to your hotel (or wherever you're staying). Check out maps on the hotel websites of how to get there from your arrival point; it will save you frustration when you get there to already know that you take the metro from Stop A to Stop B. Even if you plan on taking a taxi, you should do this, just in case...

As for Florence outlets, I can't tell you anything!

I like to get maps in advance. I make a list of everything I want to see, then map it out, so I don't miss anything when I'm in a certain nieghborhood or area.

Buy the maps in advance. You don't want to spend your time searching around for someone who sells them. Maps like he ones you get at the Paris metros are too small to be any real good.

Hi D,

We use the Streetwise maps for those cities. Available at www.amazon.com.

>in florence they have the factory outlets<

AFAIK, the outlets are outside the city and require a bus ride.

It is probably just as cheap to by G/P at their stores, since you get a refund of the VAT for purchases over about 150E.

I can't imagine not getting the maps ahead of time. I like to be able to study them to see where everything is. As noted, that way you don't waste a lot of time backtracking to see something you were near the day before. I've also used the Streetwise Maps for all those cities.