Here's a product idea that would be really useful:
A map for each city or resort area, that ...
* Will print out on a single sheet of paper in b&w (& gray), so you can print it out BEFORE you arrive there. Probably a PDF or JPG format.
* With names on the main roads, but include all minor roads to avoid confusion.
* Show main public transport stops, train station, direction to airport(s) etc.
* Perhaps show airport in an inset.
* Show accomodations, supermarkets, markets, malls, bars & clubs, etc.
The problems with the existing maps that are available include ...
* You only get the map when you arrive at the accomodation, but you needed it to find the place.
* Maps are too basic, with many roads not shown, which is confusing.
* Maps are too big and confusing to unfold and look at when you are in the street. (And maybe expensive)
* Maps are very "slanted" to promote the business that gave them to you.
I've found Google Maps with a cellular data connection to be very handy, but their search function is not so good in many foreign places with spelling variations, especially in Cyrillic.
Simplified maps could be created by tracing over Google or other maps, then honed and improved by user contributions through a forum, etc.
This will all involve some work, but that will be inevitable one way or another if you want to create a quality site.
A map for each city or resort area, that ...
* Will print out on a single sheet of paper in b&w (& gray), so you can print it out BEFORE you arrive there. Probably a PDF or JPG format.
* With names on the main roads, but include all minor roads to avoid confusion.
* Show main public transport stops, train station, direction to airport(s) etc.
* Perhaps show airport in an inset.
* Show accomodations, supermarkets, markets, malls, bars & clubs, etc.
The problems with the existing maps that are available include ...
* You only get the map when you arrive at the accomodation, but you needed it to find the place.
* Maps are too basic, with many roads not shown, which is confusing.
* Maps are too big and confusing to unfold and look at when you are in the street. (And maybe expensive)
* Maps are very "slanted" to promote the business that gave them to you.
I've found Google Maps with a cellular data connection to be very handy, but their search function is not so good in many foreign places with spelling variations, especially in Cyrillic.
Simplified maps could be created by tracing over Google or other maps, then honed and improved by user contributions through a forum, etc.
This will all involve some work, but that will be inevitable one way or another if you want to create a quality site.