City maps...
 

Hi guys

We (a mate and I) are off on our first tour outside of the uk next week and I must admit i'm a little nervy about finding my way in city centres. I have a GPS (tom tom rider II) but I can only get maps for about half the countries I'm visiting. We plan to do a round robin starting in Germany, Czech, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and home back through the black forest. The countries I cant get are Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Can anybody recommend the best places to buy road maps for these countries in the UK and maybe which ones are most detailed ?. Or would we be better just picking some up as we enter the countries ?.

Any advice appreciated.

Many thanks.

Paul

Oh and if anybody thinks they might be around these areas over the next 3-4 weeks and maybe fancies a beer give me a shout !.

Hi Paul,

Unfortunately we can't be any help in where to buy maps in the UK, but you should be able to pick up the countries missing either in Germany or Austria for sure! They are sold at the big gas stations as well as book shops.

If you make it to Austria, please drop us a line. Maybe we can meet up with you, having a beer or a glass of wine and lots of traveller talks? Would be nice to hear from you. We live not far from beautiful Vienna (45 kms south of town, towards Graz direction).

Cheers
Hanka & Erik

Stanfords in Long Acre, Covent Garden has about the widest collection of paper maps in the london area.
They certainly have city maps of some unlikely places.

Although smaller, and really a shop specialising in travel books, there are quite a range of maps at Daunts Travel Bookshop in Marylebone High Street, W1

Personally I only get country or continent maps in advance. I buy locally as required.

Another thing I sometimes do is take a photo of the map on Tourist Information Boards. You cant ride around while zooming-in and peering at a digital camera screen but it sometimes helps.

HI Paul,

Don't worry too much. For the countries you mentioned (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia), the town/city centres are usually well signposted. To get out of the centre, just set your GPS for the next town you want to visit, then use the GPS as a guideline - you'll always ger out eventually, even if you only use the GPS as a compass. Also don't be frightened to ask. In all the above countries, you'll find someone who speaks enough English to direct you into the centre/nearest hotel/nearest petrol station etc. and I've always found very helpful/friendly people also in these countries.

When you're in the Black Forest, please feel free to drop me a line and I'll show you some of the better roads around here! :thumbup1:

Thanks...
 

Thanks for the tips guys, all good stuff. We're passing by both Vienna and the black forest but cant say when exactley yet. When I know more I may just drop you a line and take you both up on your offers !.

Many thanks

Paul

Paul, I'm leaving tonight from Ireland, travelling via the UK through to Munich, and the across Austria to Venice and back up the alps on the way home.

I'm riding a TDM 850, wave out if ye see me.

Matt