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When our editors travel to cover a city for Indagare, they take along a long list of potentially buzz-worthy places, culled from interviewing plugged-in locals and in-depth pre-trip research. More important, they mark the most promising-sounding finds on a city map, because even better than a long list of places is knowing what not to miss on a single street or in a neighborhood. “I cannot imagine taking an Indagare trip without one of my trusted, albeit homemade, maps,” says Indagare’s editorial director Simone Girner. “They allow me to organize my days in the most efficient way and to maximize my time exploring the destination.”

Simone spearheaded Indagare Mapped Out, a new generation of city guides, which include three day itineraries and detailed maps for each day. The Mapped Out Guides are now available for five European destinations— Paris, London, Rome, Venice and Vienna —and can be purchased on the Indagare Souk site (www.indagare.com/souk). Here’s what you need to know about this new Indagare product.

What makes Mapped Out different from a traditional city guide?

The itinerary-map hybrid offers a precisely edited version of a destination. Compiling a laundry list of restaurants, shops and sites is not difficult, but pulling it all together, figuring out a well-balanced itinerary and mapping out a route that makes sense in terms of timing and experience are real challenges. We conceived of these guide-maps with the goal of distilling a city into an easy-to-follow, three-day plan.

How do the Mapped Out guides work?

Part city guide, part city map, each details what to see and do, where to eat and where to shop. All the picks are marked on colorful maps, facilitating exploration. The easy-to-follow itineraries include morning and afternoon activities, with many suggestions for lunch and dinner in the areas where you’re already touring. The best shopping streets are highlighted, with Indagare’s ten favorite boutiques marked as well. Finally, each map contains several insider recommendations and tips from plugged-in locals.

What are additional features?

Despite their small size—the Mapped Out guides fold up to fit into the breast pocket of a man’s jacket—the itineraries are loaded with tips and suggestions. The back pages, for example, zero in one “Neighborhood To Know” in particular, so in Paris, people can explore the Haut Marais; in London, take a stroll through Notting Hill, in Vienna, explore the streets around the amazing Naschmarkt market; and in Rome, delve deep into arty Trastevere. Additional tips include best day trips, one-stop shopping suggestions and city resources, like plugged-in guides and tips on getting around.

What are some highlights of Mapped Out Paris?

• The best restaurants where you can get a great meal and enjoy a child-friendly vibe, ranging from classics like Le Souffle and Les Cocottes to relative newcomers like Le Jules Verne and 114 Faubourg.
• How to map out a great day on the Left Bank, including where to stock up for a picnic in the Jardin du Luxembourg, where to take a sweet pastry break; and which boutiques are worth stopping at along the way.
• Favorite child-friendly activities of Parisians, including a marionettes show; Old World stores for craft supplies and doll house accessories; and an annual summer fair with Ferris wheel and rides.
• The best day trips, which chateaux are worth visiting and the guides who can help with art, food and bike tours.

What are some highlights of Mapped Out London?

• How to map out seeing the major sights along the Thames (Tate Modern, London Eye, Tower of London) without overwhelming (or boring) the kids
• Child-friendly activities on a rainy day, like Somerset House, the London Aquarium, the Golden Hinde and IMAX cinema
• The best London parks to visit with children and what not to miss
• A walking tour through Notting Hill and how to get off-the-beaten path into some of the more charming back streets of this celebrated neighborhood
• How to avoid London’s notoriously bad traffic and navigate the city like a local

What are some highlights of Mapped Out Rome?

• A discerning guide to Rome’s culinary offerings, including classics like Agata e Romeo and Da Felice, as well as more contemporary favorites, like Gusto and Open Colonna
• The best boutiques where you can shop like a local for fashion, accessories and, of course, gourmet goodies
• How to beat the lines at such sights as the Colosseum and Vatican
• Great local spots for aperitivi
• What to do in Rome with children and city escapes to the country and seaside

What are some highlights of Mapped Out Vienna?

• Great help selecting from among the city’s more than 100 museums
• The best Viennese cafes and what to order from the traditional menus
• How to take in classic Vienna, with trips to Schönbrunn and a tour of the Hofburg
• Where to mingle with locals at contemporary-cool restaurants and bars with a view
• Advice on incredible day trips to Austrian wine country, an incredible contemporary art museum and the Danube Valley surrounding Vienna

What are some highlights of Mapped Out Venice?

• Tips on finding one’s way around La Serenissima’s famous labyrinth
• The best local spots for ombre (Venetian aperitifs), including Naranzaria, La Rivista and Cantinone Gia Schiavi
• How to escape the crowds by exploring San Polo, Santa Croce and the Giudecca
• Making San Marco touring fun for children
• The city’s top seafood restaurants, from old favorites like Alle Testiere and Da Fiori to contemporary-cool places like Lineadombra and Corte Sconta.

How did you choose the launch cities?

All five are destinations we get asked about frequently by our members. Paris and London, especially, are some of our most-visited capitals. Seeing as both are such incredibly rich and layered places, we decided to focus the Paris and London itineraries specifically on family travel. Rome, Venice and Vienna are more general city itineraries.

Can you buy just one Mapped Out or do you have to purchase all five?

The Mapped Out guides can be purchased individually (they come in sleek black sleeves) or as a set of five in a black slip-over box. We think they make great gifts for travel aficionados.

Individual Mapped Out guides cost $12.95. The set of all five costs $55. All can be purchased online at www.indagare.com/souk or by calling 212-988-2611.