What am I missing here....are these Rome maps really this price? $50-100
 

Here's a post from a January thread regarding what map to use for Rome - indicating the cost of $7.50.

"The absolute best paper map is the Rough Guide Map of Rome. It's a plastic waterproof map pinpointing sights, shops, restaurants & bars, bus lines with all stops, rail and Metro lines and even Taxi kiosks. It's available at most book stores for about $7.50."

So I went to look these maps up and found a price over $50...over $100 on the link from the Barnes and Noble site. However the Rough Guide site lists them at $8.99. What am I missing here? Are they different? Do the expensive maps come alive and walk you to your destination. Has my computer gone crazy?

Here's a link to Amazon site where they're selling the older version for $53. The newer one is $60! http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Ro.../dp/1843531860

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...des/1005434376

Rough Guide Site http://www.roughguides.com/website/s.../Rome-Map.aspx

We have one, purchased some years ago at a speciality travel book store in Toronto for about $10 according to what remains of the label: it is most convenient and I would endorse trying to obtain this item.

However, I would not pay those ridiculous prices...its' water-proof feature was never tested in all the visits we made...after all, they do have roofing in Rome-you are not forced to consult maps while standing out in torrents of rain.

Hi TF,

You can get a Streetwise map for about $8 at amazon.com

Ira - I'm a big fan of the Streetwise maps...just wish I could write on them!

The Rough guides map is out of print, and still desirable - hence the ridiculous prices asked for it.

Maybe this will work for you: http://www.mapshop.com/travel_maps/c...estination.asp

when books are not available amazon sticks the price up to 50 (same in amazon.co.uk) either find a better source or buy at the first newsagent you find at the airport (there is one, just beyond the start of the station area, little area selling tickets a bar and a newsagent.

I took a look at hetismij2's link and the Nat'l Geo. map looks like a possibility. And reminds me that I was given a MapEasy Venice map before I went there some years ago. Thought it looked stupid but it turns out I used it a lot. I'm not sure I'd want to have that for my only map, but I may get one for Florence for an upcoming trip, along with a "normal" map.

What I'm wondering is whether a "picture map" for a city as large as Rome would be reasonable or cover too small an area. I like that the Nat'l Geo map is small, but is it difficult to read in a hurry? And is there anyone who has used both a Nat'l Geo. map and a MapEasy and has a preference. I have not seen a Nat'l Geo map at the bookstore I use.

travelfan - I usually make a photocopy of the Streetwise maps to highlight things and write on it. I'll carry that with me, but also have the actual Streetwise map. I just love the size of them!

We have two small booklets published many years ago by Amex. One for Florence and one for
Rome. They are about 3x7 inches, but the maps are broken down into two-page spreads for various areas of town, and they have an index and gazetteer to help locate streets and sights. They are so portable and useful!!! I really don't like having to look at a giant map in town. It can be windy, and the big sheet is just hard to manage.

I don't know if there is anything similar to that now. I'd recommend looking for one, though.

Another fan of Streetwise here. Check them out at your local B&N and see what you think!