Travel Maps
From LoveToKnow Travel
Finding the right travel maps is the first step to planning a vacation. Whether you're taking a driving vacation, a city weekend, or a getaway to a country bed and breakfast, a travel map can be invaluable, both in the planning and once your arrive. Use a travel map for driving instructions, public transportation routes, and sightseeing ideas – or take one home as a souvenir of an enjoyable trip.
Types of Travel Maps
Travel Maps come is a variety of shapes and sizes, and designed for a wide number of uses. These are some of the more common types of maps:
- City Maps – Designed for the sightseer, these maps note streets, landmarks, sightseeing options, and public transportation.
- Road Maps – A must-have for any driving vacation, these maps show the region's highways and byways.
- Atlases – A book of maps, this can be for one region, one country, or the world.
- Wall Maps – These, usually large, maps may be framed or designed to be applied as a wallpaper, to cover an entire wall.
Using Travel Maps
Travel maps are useful in deciding where to take your vacation. Even the best geography student gets confused with distances and driving routes. You don't to end up traveling 1000 miles in a day just because you thought the cities were closer than they actually are. A good map can also give you additional ideas of points of interest along the way.
Travel maps are also helpful while you travel. Whether you're taking a road trip or exploring a city, such as Paris or Zurich, the right map can keep you from getting lost or going around in circles.
Lastly, travel maps make good souvenirs, map art, and even gifts. A new map with the route of your trip outlined is a nice reminder of an enjoyable journey. Large maps of the world make an attraction addition to a library or a den. As gifts, it's a rare travel enthusiast who doesn’t get excited about a new map or atlas.
A Buyer's Guide
Finding the best travel maps for your trip depends on what purposes you'll be using the maps. If you are taking a driving vacation through the Alps, it's a good idea to have a detailed road map. For a city stay, an annotated city map with landmarks, restaurants, and parks is helpful. Travel maps are available at travel agencies, tourist bureaus, and from retailers, such as bookstores and Rand McNally. Below are a couple of useful online sources for travel maps.
- Rand McNally – The "granddaddy" of map retailers, Rand McNally sells wall maps, folding maps, atlases, and globes, both online and in specialty stores around the US and Canada.
- Maps.com – The world's largest map store, this online retailers sells everything map-related, from wall and travel maps to globes and atlases to interactive map-related children's toys and games.
- Lonely Planet - Best known for their series of guidebooks about "off-the-beaten path" destinations, Lonely Planet also sells a comprehensive line of laminated city maps, which highlight attractions and landmarks as well as local public transportation options.
- AAA – Famous for its "Triptiks," the American Automobile Association (AAA) can prepare a unique driving guide, just for your trip. The Triptiks note current construction projects, turnpike tolls, and gas and restaurant plazas.
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