by Sandra Piddock

Created on: March 23, 2008   Last Updated: February 08, 2010

I am the world's worst technophobic. The term could have been specially invented for me. In addition, I'm an ultra-cautious forward planner. So, despite the fact that we have an all-singing, all-dancing, showroom-shiny GPS system, I will always print off a map from an Internet route planner before heading off on any journey. For good measure, I'll also throw in a road atlas, and a Street A - Z if our destination is a city centre.

The GPS system hasn't let us down yet, and on a first visit to a busy town or city it really comes into its own, taking me where I want to go with minimum drama. And it gives a pretty accurate arrival time and sings out a warning when I exceed the speed limit. So why do I need those extra assurances? Well, our first GPS died on us mid journey. Road Atlases may be on the way to being consigned to the rubbish dump of history, but they have one big advantage over modern technology. The page in my atlas has never gone blank, unlike the screen of that accursed Tom Tom.

Another thing a GPS system can't do is show you the many hidden gems en route. Yes, you can plan your journey via certain places, but you need to know in advance where your route will take you. Coming back from Scotland in our motor home a while back, we did not have our GPS system switched on as we were on the motorway. I consulted the road atlas to find somewhere close to the motorway where we could stop off for refreshments and overnight camping. I discovered we were very close to the Lancashire railway town of Carnforth. My husband is a railway buff, and, as the film 'Brief Encounter' was filmed there, he jumped at the chance to stop off there. And we found a great little campsite, clean, cheap and not too crowded, overloooking beautiful Morecambe Bay. The GPS system couldn't have come up with this wonderful addition to our trip!

A road atlas can also help to give you an overall impression of the area through which you're travelling, which is handy when you are visiting somewhere unfamiliar. It is also useful if you don't want to use motorways or toll roads. Yes, your GPS system will offer you those choices, but your choice will be more informed if you can supplement technology with an unchanging picture of the terrain. For example, we always avoid toll roads on mainland Europe if possible, but if our route is likely to take us through a mountain range, we'd rather pay a toll to get us through the tunnels, rather than drive miles up and down scary mountain roads in our camper van. The GPS is all tolls or no tolls - it doesn't realise you might not want to take the high road.

Internet route planners can also help to get the most out of your trip. You can opt to be shown petrol stations, hotels, campsites and much more along your chosen route. And you can choose a fast route or a scenic drive. All this information is printed out for you, and you can also calculate how much fuel you'll need for your journey.

In route planning, as in any other successful planning, the secret is to utilise all the tools and intelligence at your disposal. Never rely too strongly on one method, because things can and often do go wrong. Let your GPS system take the strain and enjoy your trip, but remember it's only a machine, not the answer to all the problems in the universe.

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