Navigation system for Sicily?
 

We will be renting a car from Hertz to drive around Sicily, and I planned to order a navigation system from them. However, a navigation system is not available at rental location, and Hertz does not send navigators via mail, as it was done for me by other rental companies.

Where else I can get a navigation system for Sicily?
We have Garmin, but with US roads only. Is there a way to download Italy roads?

I understand that Navigation system may not be too useful for Sicily driving, but still would like to have it just in case.

Thank you!

We use Tomtom and we could download a mpa from Mexico, I gather Garmin can do the same - Did you look on Garmin's site ?

How about a nice, Michelin paper map. Always works for us.

Bedar, we have a Michelin map.

Pariswat, no, I need to look. I have never done this before, so did not know where to start.

You can also use your iPhone.

Our Garmin has a very small slot on it's side where you can insert a microchip with Eurpean maps. I bought the map chip directly from the Garmin website and it works perfectly. Check your Garmin; if it doesn't take a chip maybe you should buy a new model. We bought our Garmin at Costco several years ago.

Ok, understood!

I did not think about iphone, this is a good idea.

Thank you!!!

Helen,

Be sure to check with your cell provider. You may be paying huge international data fees if you use your cell for navigating. I'm no expert so not sure, but when I went to Sicily (from the US), I disabled the data function and bought a predetermined number of international minutes to use for calling.

I used my Tom Tom for navigation since I drove solo. I also had the Michelin map for Sicily which I looked at a couple of times, but didn't really need to use much.

Buon viaggio!

PS - I am a huge believer in paper maps however! You never know when you might temporarily loose cell service, loose or break the phone, etc.

I also quite like map reading. I think it gives you a better understanding of the country and helps in orientation.

We always bring Michelin maps in addition to our Garmin.

Helen, what we usually do when at destinations for which we don't have Garmin maps (Middle East, for instance) is buying a local SIM card for our phone with 1GB data and we drive on google maps. Very easy!

Yes, this is true about cell phone - I do turn off data as well, and only use it for calling home on a special international plan.

Never bought a local SIM card anywhere, but probably this is a good idea.

And we always use paper maps for driving, it is just I would like to have a navigator for a piece of mind (just in case).

I think I found what I need for Garmin.

Thank you so much for your help!

Hi, Helen -

In 2007, I -- solo traveler -- went to Sicily without a GPS, just paper maps (route-plans + a good map of the island). And no smart phone either, no phone at all. I managed, but OMG, I wish I had had a GPS! I spent a LOT of time pulling off the road to consult my map, identify my next target, etc., and that added a LOT to both the time it took and the stress level of dealing with some absolutely crazy Sicilian drivers.

Enjoy marvelous Sicily!

I you have a detailed Michelin map (Local 365, yellow map) you're good to go. Don't worry!

Myriam, yes, I have yellow Michelin local 365 map. Actually, I've heard the best map is from Italian Auto Club, but unfortunately is not currently available from Amazon, maybe I can buy in Sicily.

Kja, this exactly what I am trying to accomplish - reduce stress level :)

I used my Garmin in 2011 but also had a Mifi with TIM prepaid data SIM.

I remember using my iPhone Maps app to find a particular street in Taormina when it helped to see my location relative to the restaurant I was trying to find.

If you have T-Mobile Simple Choice, you get free roaming data in a lot of countries including Italy. It's slow and the first time Google Maps loads the mapping data it takes a long time. But once loaded, it works fine.

You can alternatively load the maps at the hotel but a lot of the lodgings I stayed in Sicily, indeed in Italy, have poor Wifi setups so there were times when I used the TIM mobile data.

Thank you, Scrb11! I have AT&T, I do not think they have free roaming data plan

I hope I will be fine with Garmin