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Old Feb 17th, 2020 | 02:36 PM
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Recommended paper road map for Greece?

Best driving map for Greece?

The above thread has a similar inquiry. Does anyone know if the shop mentioned by Helmdall at Athens Airport is still there?

For the intrepid Fodorites who drove in Greece, did you use an "old-fashioned" paper road map that was helpful? If so, which? I have one from the Auto Association so lacking in detail, and with teeny-tiny writing, it's virtually useless.

We'll have iPhone Google maps, and a GPS/Sat-Nav device provided by the auto rental company. Still, I'd like a paper map to give the "bigger picture."

The trip will be in June. Areas for which we need a map include Athens to Meteora, then the Pelopennesian Peninsula.

Thank you in a dance, for your time!
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Old Feb 17th, 2020 | 02:37 PM
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Oops, typo. Thank you in advance, not "in a dance." Well... maybe that too!
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Old Feb 17th, 2020 | 04:12 PM
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I'll take the dance.

I didn't have a detailed paper map of Greece, relying instead on pre-printed "local"maps of the routes I wanted. I used them when the routes suggested by my personal GPS took me on an occasional, uh, "interesting" path. If I wanted a good paper map, I'd be inclined to get the Michelin map in advance, just to know I had it in my hands before getting there.
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Old Feb 17th, 2020 | 05:08 PM
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Michelin is always a good stand-by.
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Old Feb 17th, 2020 | 08:33 PM
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BOth times that I bought a map, it was in he bookstore in the Airport -- ROAD EDITIONS ... one of Peloponnese, one of Crete. Both served us well, in the days before GPS, so I continued to bring them. Clearly shows all roads and the relative condition... from big, wide & bright-colored (multi-lane) to medium (2 line road)... to thin (small lanes) ... to dotted line (gravel). Also shows thru coloration, the terrain... where mountainous, etc.
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Old Feb 17th, 2020 | 08:39 PM
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As I understand it, roads in Greece have changed quite a bit since the days before GPS.
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Old Feb 18th, 2020 | 03:14 AM
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I haven't been to Athens Airport recently, but according to its website there are now WH Smith shops in the terminal. WH Smith is a huge magazine and bookstore chain which has maps in their British outlets. WH Smith may have taken the place of the shop mentioned in my 2015 post, and my guess is they will have what you are looking for:
https://www.aia.gr/traveler/shopping...-gifts/whsmith
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Old Feb 18th, 2020 | 07:35 AM
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I believe the Road Edition maps are some of the best. You can either get them in Greece or if you want one before to research areas and roads you can order them online.

Here's a link if you want to order. Even though it's in Greece they can ship to the US.

Travel Bookstore

Another one worth checking out:

https://mapscompany.com/search?type=product&q=greece
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Old Feb 18th, 2020 | 09:21 AM
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kja, I was not suggesting that the OP buy a "vintage" Road Editions Map, I would assume that bookstores would be selling a 2020 version.
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Old Feb 18th, 2020 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by kizafg9
I also need recommendations where to get?
This is where I just ordered a map for southern Italy:

https://mapscompany.com/search?type=product&q=greece
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Old Feb 18th, 2020 | 04:43 PM
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kja
 
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Originally Posted by travelerjan
kja, I was not suggesting that the OP buy a "vintage" Road Editions Map, I would assume that bookstores would be selling a 2020 version.
I didn't think you meant that the OP should buy a vintage map. Map producers can differ in the quality of their maps over time.
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Old Feb 18th, 2020 | 09:10 PM
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Wow! It's been several years since I've posted a question on Fodors. What took so long?? THANK YOU to each of you for taking time to reply, give advice, tips, and useful links. I feel less anxious now about this road trip!

Thanks for TravelerJan and CrazyH for specifying Road Editions Maps. ( I just read that company is now affiliated with/owned by Orama Maps?) Apparently, Road Editions were first created for the Greek Army Geological Survey---no wonder they're good! The ratio of 1:200,000 should be easier than the reputable but for me, eye-strain causing Michelin Map's 1:700,000. MapsCompany and Travelstore links are great resources and the Pelopennesian Peninsula map I'll need (in a May 2019 edition) is available at Travelstore! However, shipping costs make the price more than 20 euros to California. So, upon arrival into Greece (which should be daytime, Norwegian Airlines willing--ha!) there'll be sufficient time at Athens Airport to visit Heimdall's cited bookstore .

Great suggestion KJA for d.i.y. "paper maps" pre-printed at home!! I'll print the road map and directions. After experimenting with this method, I learned what "EO" means on a Greek map!

With self-printed route pages, Road Editions Map, iPhone maps and the auto rental company's English Sat-nav gizmo...we shouldn't get toooo lost!!! Famous last words?

Again, many thanks, Greece travelers. "Efharisto poli!"

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Old Feb 18th, 2020 | 09:36 PM
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kja
 
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Originally Posted by CaliNurse
we shouldn't get toooo lost!!!
right!
And FWIW, as long as I'm not running late for something, I actually have a fondness for getting just a little lost. It's a great way to get off the beaten track a bit. IMO.
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Old Feb 19th, 2020 | 12:35 PM
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Thanks KJA! I'll remember your words when we're freaking out on a remote winding mountain road, lacking GPS signal or internet connection!! Such a situation is a good reason for following your suggestion to bring preprinted paper copies of Google maps and directions.
I've started reading Patrick Leigh Fermor's travel memento "Mani" and it sounds like some tiny villages would, planned or not, be interesting places to end up in...as long as it's during daylight hours!
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