How to make your own travel map for free with Google MyMaps

Hi folks,
We've been chased by typhoons the last couple weeks! First from Taiwan, then from Manila. We are now in Boracay, Philippines and it is a gorgeous day. I hope you're following our photo album to see more. 

Below is your Tech Tip for the week. 

We love our photo album, but we think that a map, that includes text and photos, is the absolute best way to share your travels. Using Google MyMaps, you can see at a glance all the places we'be been and, if you click on any placemarker, you will see photos and text about that place. What more could you want?! 

I've been hard at work bringing the map up to date with all 59 ports we've visited since we boarded the Villa Vie Odyssey in April. To take a look, just click this link. Be sure to click on some of the markers to see the photos and stories about each port.

How can you make a map like this?

It's called Google MyMaps. It's completely free. All you need is a Google Account. Use a web browser on a computer, it's just too dificult on a phone.

Create a new map

• Go to MyMaps.Google.com (make sure you're signed in with your google account) and click the red button to "Create a New Map"
• You can view any part of the world on this map
• Give your map a name by typing over the words "Untitled Map"

Your job now is to add markers to your map to show the places you went (or want to go.) Those markers can be any place you can find on a map. Your map is saved automatically as you add markers. There is no "Save Map" command. You do need to save each marker.

To place markers on the map:

• Use the search box to find a location, for example: Key West, Florida or Boracay, Philippines
• The map will be repositioned to that spot and a dialog box for the location will pop up. You can click the "Add to Map" button, but it's better to create your own marker
• Click the Add a marker button in the toolbar, then click the exact location where you want the marker to be.

• Give the point a name, write a description if you like, you can even add a photo by clicking the camera icon.
• Click Save to save the point marker (the map gets saved automatically but not the individual markers)
• Continue adding markers in this way till your map is complete

Want to learn more?

Learn more about adding photos and videos, how to change the icons for the placemarkers, how to import places from a spreadsheet, and more. If you are a premium member of GeeksOnTour.com, here's your resource: Tip064: How to make your own map with Google MyMaps

If you're not a premium member, why not? 😊 It's only $58/year. Your membership is the fuel that keeps our Geeks on Tour engine running.. Join Now.

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