Mapping It Out

How many of us can get by in a new place without something to tell us where to go?  Maps may be something not everyone enjoys, but they are a great tool when going on vacation and playing tourist.  If you’re not comfortable with maps either because you don’t have experience reading them, or aren’t good with directions, etc., then now is a good chance to start learning. 

Map provided at the information center in the Graz, Austria, Hauptbahhof was fabulous. (left 1/2 of map)

In this era with the vast development of technology many of us, myself included, have become largely dependent on technology to get us by in travel.  But when it comes to finding your way around a city quickly and finding those fun tourist spots that may be familiar only to the locals, maps are your best friend.  GPS and Navigation Systems are great when you’re sticking to main routes and popular sites.  But as I mentioned in my earlier post (“Raring to Go") becoming a part of the local culture is an ideal way to get the most out of your trips and this includes making stops that will likely be unfamiliar to your system.  Most locations will have either a tourist information office or location to gain maps, brochures, and other helpful tips on finding your way around the area.  If not, city chamber offices, city halls, or even state tourism office websites can provide you with the necessary information.  In this case, it may not be a bad idea to check out your destination online and see what information may be available upon arrival.  Heavily trafficked spots such as airports, car rental agencies, and hotels may also be able to provide you with what you need. 

Right 1/2 of Graz map.  Note each half has a map key for different things.

I want to point out that there are different kinds of maps available.  Interstate rest stops in the United States often have state or regional maps available that can help with travel on major routes but may not have many tourist destinations marked other than state or national parks.  Maps received at a car rental agency are going to point out all of their locations as well as airports and a few area/regional attractions but may not provide you with the specifics for which you’re searching.  Ideally the state or local tourist offices are going to be the treasure trove of information from restaurants, clubs, shopping areas, historical spots, and parks and recreation areas.  Don’t feel self-conscience of taking maps and brochures for anything and everything available.  Once you’ve made a stop at these places you don’t want to have to go back again so find out as much as you can your first time.    Now that we’ve got that out of the way I can share the fun of reading maps!

This is the back of the Graz map.  Separate mapping of bus, tram, and train routes.

I really do love maps…they are full of information, if you know how to read them.  Typically, maps will have a map key or information box that will display symbols used to designate locations and list what they stand for.  In other instances, a map may just display an image or icon with the locations name where it is located on the actual map.  Oftentimes, this means the images will closely resemble what the location is such as a church representing a cathedral or other religious building, and usually these are very stereotyped images which can be a bit helpful when little else is said about a destination other than its name.  Tourist office maps are great as they will oftentimes display the traditional “i” where the information office is located to help give you a sense of direction.   If there are specific tourist routes or transportation services provided in the area those may also be denoted in the map key such as a “T” for taxi services, “S” or “U” for subway/underground terminals, “B” or bus icon for bus stops, “P” for parking areas, or colored lines marking bus or tram routes to specific locations such as ferries, airports, train stations, or museums. 

Map of Caen, France, from Tourism Office. You may notice no map key-this is because the map is a center fold in a booklet with information on each numbered location.

Ideally, don’t feel overwhelmed when looking at maps.  They may present a whole host of information it’s just a matter of sorting through it to get what you need.  Some people a bit uncomfortable with them find using them only as a reference works best as many destinations have signs posting where you need to go and will use this for their main directional guidance.  Others are able to focus solely on what they need and follow the map.  Just don’t let yourself get distracted and it will be just fine.  Maybe you’re a map lover like myself and spend a little extra time comparing maps, picking up every one provided.  If you know where to get your information from and how it’s presented you’ll be able to get anywhere whether you have a horrible sense of direction or not.

I realize this blog has been a bit different from my previous ones but I’m hoping you can find a bit of helpful information in it.  Always feel free to let me know what you think!  J

Sticking to the Plan…With a Side of Spontaneity

I’ll admit right away that while I may make plans I am not known for following them out as intended.  While in some circumstances this may be a problem, doing this in travel allows you to get the most out of everything since you are able to add things you discover once you’ve arrived.  Europe is one of the best places for this, too, with its extensive transportation system with planes, boats, trains, busses, and taxis.  If it’s something you want to do/somewhere you want to go you can pretty much make it happen.  

driving across Austria

Last summer, July/August 2010, I had just over three weeks to travel Europe as I chose.  Who could hope for something better?  With the benefit of traveling on my own I considered where I wanted to go and how long I wanted to stay there.  After a bit of finagling I had a plan in place that included traveling from southeastern Austria to Munich, Dublin, Galway, London, Southampton, Glasgow (and a tour of Scotland), Portsmouth, St. Malo, Caen (and the D-Day Beaches), Paris, Versailles, back to Munich, Salzburg, and the return trip to southeastern Austria in about 22/23 days.  It was a lot of ground to cover and a lot of places/sights fit into the timing including visiting two different friends from college-one studying in Galway, Ireland, and the other living with her husband in Southampton, England.  It really helped having everything written down (I took my schedule with me in my backpack to have handy at a moment’s notice.  This way I was able to prioritize my time as I went.  My time with my friends, visiting Scotland where my maternal grandfather’s family came from, and Caen-known for its role in World War II history- were musts on my trip.  Knowing my struggle with sticking to a schedule, I refrained from making all of my transportation and overnight accommodations before I began the trip.  Instead, I made them as I went along once I knew things were a little more concrete-this was largely possible because of my little netbook I carried with me as well as internet cafes along the way.

along the river in Dublin, Ireland

My plans didn’t last long.  I did spend my scheduled time with my friend in Ireland and had a fabulous time seeing the area and sitting in on her class she was taking while I was with her; it really made me miss school and consider going back for my master’s degree.  From Dublin I flew to London and traveled by train to Southampton but instead of staying only a couple of days my time with friends there extended itself to nearly a week.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them including this amazing fish pie dish my friend made…it was SUPERB!!!  I realized, however, that I needed to get moving along to make everything I wanted to do happen so I made arrangements while with them for the next two legs of my journey.  Train travel to Glasgow, Scotland, and a 2 day tour of the countryside and Highlands with Rabbie's Trail Burners.  A train ride down to Portsmouth, England, and an overnight ferry ride to St. Malo, France, followed by a night in Rennes, France, before traveling on to Caen.  Here, my itinerary took another detour.  I absolutely fell in love with Caen.  It’s a wonderful town full of lots of history, charm, and friendly people.  While initially planning on being there only a couple of days, I ended up staying 4 nights there before being forced to leave in order to make it back to Austria in time to be to work the upcoming Monday morning.  I was able to extend my stay at the Hotel Courtonne after a brief and stilted conversation with the French owner.  (*Note that is may not always be possible in the summer in a popular tourist destination, but it is a little more feasible when traveling alone*)  My trip back to southeastern Austria was a bit rushed and frantic and probably a good example of being a bit too spontaneous as I managed to travel from Caen, France, to Feldbach, Austria, but train (and bus where the train routes were under construction) in about 36 hours.  Quite a feat I realized after looking back over the train schedules and the route I had to take when trains were full. 

Dunkeld Cathedral-Scotland

They say that hindsight is 20/20 and while there may have been a better way of going about my 3 weeks of travel I really would not have changed a thing about it.  I had a fabulous time visiting friends and seeing history brought to life.  I managed to meet people from all over including some wonderful Canadians who became my photographers while on the 2 day tour in Scotland, a fun mother and son from California traveling in France before heading to Italy to visit family, and a great older couple from Oklahoma returning to visit the D-Day beaches where family friends had pushed their way on shore that June morning struggling and fighting for the freedoms of so many-people they never got to meet.

at the American Cemetery near Colleville, France

All of this to say that while planning is a necessary part of travel, leaving a little room for spontaneity is highly recommended.  I was able to go back to places in Caen and really absorb the importance of what happened and the beauty of a wonderful town with its wonderful marketplace in the square so I was able to enjoy some amazing fresh fruit and baguettes.  I met people I otherwise would not have crossed paths with by extending my stays and allowed myself to really absorb the surrounding culture and take time to enjoy the area.  You can learn so much from the citizens and really see what life is like wherever you choose to go.  Just make sure you allow some flexibility in your travel plans next time you embark on a journey.

city view of Caen, France, after a thundershower