Why do people always like to travel with paper maps?

Who needs GPS? There's nothing like winning a reliable paper map for navigating a foreign city.

The first thing we do when we arrive in a foreign city is find a paper map. Whether you get it from the tourist information kiosk at the airport or the concierge at your hotel, this is one of the most important tasks to complete upon arrival. With that map in hand, study the map carefully.

You see, this map is the key to getting around the city. It can position ourselves before we even set foot on the street. Know where it is with the rest of the city, the names of neighborhoods, the main streets and the directions in which they run, bus lines. Work out where rivers and watersides are, where metro stations are, how to find the best walking and cycling routes.

Then plan. Use paper maps to determine which attractions are closest to each other and how to make the most efficient use of my time by visiting everything in a specific area on the same day. Check out the bookstores, restaurants, markets, museums and other places you want to see most.

Although we have smartphones with GPS, we don’t see the point of using it when driving on foreign streets. This is expensive (those roaming charges add up quickly) and inefficient.

Paper maps do not drain batteries. It never has a bad connection. It's easy to replace.

It was a great conversation starter for locals who could immediately identify me as a tourist - not always a good thing, but having some paper maps can make people Become softer. They are curious about who uses paper maps these days and tend to talk.

Then we can collect the map. It bears the battle scars, creases, tears and staining of the journey. It's a testament to where we've been, and while it means little to anyone, it comes alive when we open it and take a look. Usually it won't be long enough to know that it serves its purpose, but if you end up traveling to the same place again, it can be a good reference and helpful if you want to book accommodation in a good area. When our new journey begins, I get a new map - and start over.