Jaunted

The "fab" in Fab Map stands for fabric rather than fabulous, but it is a pretty neat new concept in travel maps. The map is printed on wrinkle-proof cloth rather than paper, so instead of having to fold it up every time you need to put it away, you just stuff it in your pocket like a handkerchief. (Be careful not to blow your nose in it.)

As with most tourist maps, one side features the entire island, while the other provides a cutaway of the downtown area, with clearly legible street names, hotels, and attractions pinpointed for easy navigation. It's too flimsy to hold in one hand, so your best bet is to set it down on a table when you're figuring out the walk from the Hemingway House to the pirate ship.

The best part? The cloth is so soft that it can be used to clean your sunglasses or laptop screen. My only complaint is the map's small size. It works for Key West, but a larger city would require a beefier map. Maybe Rand McNally ought to start printing maps on beach towels. If it turns into a million-dollar idea, remember that you heard it here first.

[Photo: Victor Ozols]

Related Stories:
· Rand McNally Fab Maps [Official Site]
· Map Coverage [Jaunted]