Google maps - Street View virtual tourism

[bella_ciao]

Hi all,
Has anyone tried using Google's new Street View function when searching their maps? It's a great way to get a sneak preview of various cities and places of interest in the world before you even go there! You just click on Google Maps and opt for Street View, then you drag the little man in the top left hand corner (provided he is yellow in colour - if he is grey, it won't work) to the city you want to see and drop him into any area hatched in blue and, hey presto! there you are in the middle of a street! You can then navigate your way around the city, just as if you were really there. Of course, you can go to any given address if you type it into the search box, provided it is in the area hatched in blue.
I have had a look at various places in the world - unfortunately, only Reggio Calabria is available on Street View in that area at the moment, and I have also had a look at Catania in Sicily. However, all the major cities, such as Naples, Rome, Livorno, etc. are available on Street View, so you can really have some fun as a virtual tourist! Also, it should be very helpful in the matter of finding your way around and recognizing landmarks before you travel to these places.
Here is a link to the UK map on Street View, but you can start your search from there to anywhere else in the world:

Google Maps

Hope the link works. Have fun!

Ciao,
Frances.

[brynithel3]

Hi Frances

Thanks for the link. I am using every day. I can view friend's properties but the best use so far has been to view the streets around the major airports in Rome and Naples . It gives you a very good indication of what you will encounter when you get there. An excellent tool. A bit of a fuss in the media about privacy but most of these photos are over a year old.

Ciao

John

[bella_ciao]

Hi John,
Thanks for your response and I'm glad you're finding the Google Street View tool helpful - I couldn't believe how real it all seems - almost as though you are there! I visited an area we stayed at near Sorrento and retraced our steps when we used to walk into Sorrento, as well as finding the actual "tabbachi" where we used to buy our bus tickets. My hubby was also really impressed by it and I have to say it will be really useful for familiarising yourself with new cities and destinations. It's just a shame there aren't more places available to Street View at the moment, but I expect that will come in time, depending on the logistics, amongst other things.
I have also found this tool useful for my family research project. I have already located a couple of important addresses which may well help me with my research, so that was quite an emotional experience. It's just a matter of finding the time to do all these things!
I am fully aware that there are some privacy issues that have arisen since the launch of Street View, but there is a provision whereby anyone can report a problem by clicking on the link at the bottom of the Street View image. I guess you are bound to get these kind of problems but it is not in "real time" - it is simply a continuous 360 degree "snapshot" view that you would see if you were, say, riding atop a tour bus in the city. As you say, it has to be a really helpful tool as a preview to what you can expect to encounter while navigating those big cities, although it will always be a different matter once you are there in the thick of it!
The wonders of modern technology, eh?
Ciao,
Frances.