Customer Reviews

Michelin Spain Southern Map No. 446 (Michelin Maps & Atlases)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is without doubt the best road map for the tourist in Southern Spain to buy

AMAZON puts the reviews for several different Spanish Michelin maps together, including the Central and Southern regions, so you will notice that some of the reviewers are speaking of a Anadalusian map and some speak of a Central Spain or some other map: Bottom line, the Michelin Spanish maps at this scale and detail are very, very good. Spain is a beautiful and diverse country. When outside the main cities and rail lines do not be hesitant to rent a car and explore.

My review is for the Central region map.

If you are thinking about maybe renting a car when visiting the Madrid/central Spain area, get this map now. The map is perfect for showing how easy it is to get around the very beautiful and dramatic area. This part of Spain, with mountains to the north of Madrid (with Segovia and Avila), the plains to the south (with Toledo, La Mancha), craft towns to the west (Talavera de la Reina, Oropesa) are as much worth seeing as the art museums in Madrid. The driving was a pleasure; the roads well marked, in good condition and safe, traffic not a problem outside the cities (if you rent the car in Madrid, leave town immediately, do not drive a rental around the city).
From Segovia, we crossed the mountains from the Avila side to Oropesa; we saw parts of an old roman stone road still running up through the mountains, a rainbow's end in a little valley by a sheep herder's cottage, and of course a castle or two. The map led us through without problem to some dramatic, fantastic and very memorable sights.
With this map we spent one day castle hunting from our base in Toledo: Castles on hilltops, castles in towns, castles next to windmills. We visited renovated castles and climbed through abandoned ones, saw amazing photo ops and sights to remember.
The map was perfect for the task.

Available locally (at list price) is the 1998 edition detailing the large network of "autopistas" built in Andalucia since the version offered by Amazon (1991), which is now out of date. The coverage of this map is actually all of Spain SOUTH of Valdepenas and east of the Portuguese border to the Costa de Almeria at Aguilas: the entire territory of Andalucia. The single map insert (7") is of Sevilla. Otherwise, I concur with the comments of the two other reviewers, especially the one that more city maps on the reverse side would be eminently more helpful (and efficient).

This map has excellent detail, covering all the terrain from south of Madrid to the northern coast, and from Salamanca in the west to Zaragoza in the east. Includes even little-used country roads. Also has a 7" inset of Madrid and city/road index. But it is missing features we expect in US maps: double-sided printing, more city insets.