europe

These maps fold easily, fit in a pocket or purse, are laminated (water repellant)and the Paris map covers 80% of the main area of the city. It is not as good for areas outside of the city center (that is, outside of the single-digit arrondissments). Includes a metro map, and listing of street names with map locators. For walking around the most popular tourist areas, it is perfect. If you need a map that covers a larger area by all means buy another one and consult it before you go out, but don't walk around without Streetwise. I used it on my first trip to Paris and I used it on my ninth.

Used it during pre-trip planning to research where to stay. Took it with us every day while exploring the streets of Paris, which can be confusing. Much better than a bulky paper fold-out map. Dropped our Streetwise while out in the rain but it suffered no damage because of its lamination. It also includes metro stops.

Be sure to get the "Streetwise" map and not the "Artwise" map. The Streetwise series includes an index of street names on the reverse, while the Artwise gives a list of museums & opening times. Index of street names is much more useful.

Also, the "Let's Go" people publish a similar type of map, but the Streetwise covers a greater area.

This map got us everywhere we wanted to go in Paris for our 1 week visit. I began using it right off the plane when our shuttle driver didn't know where our apartment was. We used it to keep the rain off our heads, and put it down on dirty benches to protect our clothes. The metro map meant that we never took a wrong train. We spent most of the week on foot and every street we were on was in the map. Most of the items and guides I brought along were looked at in the room before we left every morning, but this map was always with us.