Need a Venice map- any suggestions
 

Will be in Venive in Oct and plan to do a lot of wandering. I know we will need a good map- prefer something pocket size if possible. Do the hotels offer decent maps? Are there decent maps that can be purchased in Venice? Should we purchase something here in US? Suggestions please. Thanks!

Some hotels offer a map, some don't. I'd buy a map before you leave home, or you could have trouble finding your hotel(!). I like the Streetwise city maps, but obviously there are other choices. FYI, even with a map, you'll get lost. I venture to say everyone does.

I use the Moleskine city Notebook for Venice. Costs about 15 euro, and has a decent street finder and index. Take a look at

http://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-City.../dp/8883707362 as an example.

And this application is handy too:

http://maps.venicexplorer.net/venice...ule=civici_gps

Venice streets and canals are a maze, make no sense, and most are unmarked. We spent several weeks there, and gave up on our maps after the first day. Directional signs for major locations are painted on the sides and corners of buildings, with arrows pointing the way. (San Marco, Rialto, Accademia, etc. ) Most likely where you want to go will be in the direction of one of the landmarks, just head that way. Any pocket sized guidebook on Venice (I personally like Rick Steves) will give you all the overview you need to wander at will-we got lost a lot, but that is part of the charm of Venice, and we always found our way back to our apartment by the end of day. On arrival, if you are coming by air, and it won't break the budget, take a private water taxi right at the airport and they will drop you off in front of your hotel, or as close as they can get you to it.

We bought the Streetwise map of Venice ahead of time, but it was not that useful once we got there. I think the Rick Steves planning map for Italy is fine for using before you go. Also, I liked a website recommended here called www.communitywalk.com for plotting out locations of our hotel and various restaurants and sites in Venice. Using this helped me get very familiar with an overview of Venice beforehand.

Once we arrived in Venice, the best map was provided by our hotel. It was much more accurate and detailed than the Streetwise map. As SusieKay said, you will find you are using landmarks, those yellow signs pointing to San Marco, Rialto, or Accademia, and a few major street names to find your way while wandering in Venice.

I'm a pretty big fan of Streetwise maps, but I would say the Venice version was of limited value.

I used Rick Steves stuff (I'm not always a fan) here (book plus his free MP# downloads) more than any other place we've visited.

Our hotel map,however, was GREAT.

My conclusion? Buy Rick Steve's Venice, see what your hotel provides, and then maybe buy something on the street ONLY IF YOU NEED IT with the proviso that getting lost in Venice is 75% of experiencing the city.